Srinagar freezes at minus 4.3 degree Celsius as MeT predicts light rains, snow tomorrow

Srinagar, Jan 08: A day after experiencing season’s coldest night, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.3°C as freezing conditions continued without reprieve in Kashmir Valley on Monday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that the temperature was 1.9°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year.

He said the Srinagar saw minimum temperature of minus 5.6°C on previous night.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 4.2°C against minus 5.0°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 1.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.3°C against minus 6.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 2.1°C against minus 2.7°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 1.9°C for the place, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.0°C against minus 5.3°C on the previous night and it was 2.3°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 4.0°C against minus 4.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was 3.8°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 4.3°C against 3.4°C on previous night, and it was below normal by 3.1°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 1.2°C, Batote 3.2°C and Bhaderwah 0.4°C, he said.

Kashmir valley is under ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter, which will end on January 30. However it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.

The MeT official said that generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light rain/snow over “extreme isolated higher reaches” on January 9. From January 10-14, he said, generally dry weather is expected. “Overall no significant weather activity is expected till January 14.”