Srinagar shatters all-time February temperature record as unusual warmth grips Kashmir
Srinagar, Feb 21: Srinagar on Saturday shattered its all-time February maximum temperature record, reaching 21 degrees Celsius as an unusual spell of warmth gripped Kashmir and pushed temperatures 10 to 11 degrees above normal across much of the region.
The city’s previous February high of 20.6 degrees Celsius was recorded on Feb. 24, 2016. A day earlier, Srinagar had recorded 20.2 degrees Celsius, 9.2 degrees above normal.
The Meteorological Department said daytime temperatures are expected to rise by at least 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the month as dry conditions persist.
Gulmarg also surpassed its previous February record, recording 11.6 degrees Celsius on Friday and 11.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday- 9.6 and 9.5 degrees above normal, respectively. The earlier high of 11.4 degrees Celsius was set in February. 11, 1993.
In Qazigund, the mercury settled at 21 degrees Celsius on Friday, 10.9 degrees above normal, breaking the previous record of 20.7 degrees Celsius. On Saturday, it recorded 20 degrees Celsius, 9.9 degrees above normal.
Kokernag recorded 18.4 degrees Celsius on Friday — 9.6 degrees above normal -equalling its all-time February record set in 2016. On Saturday, it recorded 18.3 degrees Celsius, 9.5 degrees above normal. Kupwara recorded 20 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 9.9 degrees above normal.
In the Jammu region, Jammu recorded 26.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, while Banihal registered 21.8 degrees Celsius, Batote 20.2 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 19 degrees Celsius and Katra 24.7 degrees Celsius.
On Saturday, Jammu recorded 25.2 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees above normal; Banihal 19.8 degrees Celsius, 6.7 degrees above normal; Batote 19.9 degrees Celsius, 7.3 degrees above normal; Bhaderwah 21.3 degrees Celsius, 7.1 degrees above normal; and Katra 25 degrees Celsius, 4.9 degrees above normal.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded 8.4 degrees Celsius, Kargil 8.3 degrees Celsius and Nubra Valley 10.4 degrees Celsius on Friday. On Saturday, Leh recorded 8.3 degrees Celsius, Kargil 9.9 degrees Celsius and Nubra Valley 10.4 degrees Celsius.
After a mild January, the valley is experiencing unusually warm days with bright sunshine.
“It was the highest maximum temperature recorded in February in a decade,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, director of the Meteorological Department in Kashmir. “The day temperature by the end of this month may rise by at least 2 degrees as a dry spell persists.”
Ahmad said climate change has altered the region’s winter pattern.
“Due to climate change and global warming, our winter’s duration and intensity have shrunk. Now our winter is confined to a 40-day period of Chillai Kalan,” he said, referring to the harshest phase of winter in the region. “There is also a change in precipitation.”
Independent forecaster Faizan Arif said more records could fall in the coming days. “In fact, it has only just begun. Several more records are likely to be challenged in the coming days,” Arif said.
