Western Disturbance likely to bring snowfall on Dec 22

Srinagar, Dec 14: While a severe cold wave gripped Kashmir on Saturday, there are likely chances of snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir on December 22 as moderate to strong Western Disturbance (WD) would hit J&K.

Weather by Umar, an independent weather forecaster, in a post on X said that a fresh spell of snowfall is expected in J&K on December 22 as a moderate to strong WD is likely to impact J&K.

“Snow loading… 22 December for J&K as moderate to strong Western Disturbance is expected,” he posted on X.

The disturbance is expected to bring widespread snowfall, particularly in higher reaches, while lower areas may experience snow.

On Saturday, Kashmir continued to reel under a severe cold wave as the minimum temperature dropped across most parts of the Valley, intensifying the winter chill.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast a further dip in temperatures over the next three days, with cold wave conditions likely to prevail at many places in Kashmir.

In Srinagar, the minimum temperature dropped to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, marking a sharp decline of more than two notches from the previous night.

Gulmarg ski resort recorded a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, though it was two degrees higher than the previous night.

Pahalgam health resort recorded a freezing low of minus 8.4 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in Kashmir.

Other areas also shivered under sub-zero temperatures, with Qazigund, the gateway to Kashmir, recording minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Kupwara in north Kashmir minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag in south Kashmir minus 4.2 degrees Celsius.

Tourist hotspot Sonamarg froze at minus 9.6 degrees Celsius while other parts of south Kashmir also recorded bone-chilling lows.

Shopian recorded minus 8.3 degrees Celsius, Pulwama dipped to minus 7.9 degrees Celsius, Anantnag registered minus 7.7 degrees Celsius, and Kulgam shivered at minus 5.9 degrees Celsius.

Ganderbal recorded minimum temperatures of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius and Budgam minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.

North Kashmir saw similarly frigid conditions, with Bandipora logging minus 4.2 degrees Celsius.

The MeT has predicted dry weather until December 21, but temperatures are expected to drop further, aggravating the cold wave across the region.

In the Jammu division, the mercury stayed above the freezing point in most areas.

Ramban recorded the highest minimum temperature at 14 degrees Celsius, followed by Katra at 7.5 degrees Celsius, Poonch at 4.9 degrees Celsius, and Banihal at 4.9 degrees Celsius.

However, Jammu city recorded a chilly 3.6 degrees Celsius.

Several other areas in the division experienced sub-zero temperatures, with Bhaderwah recording minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, Samba 0.4 degrees Celsius, Udhampur 0.7 degrees Celsius, and Paddar in Kishtwar registering the coldest temperature at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.

In the cold desert region of Ladakh, freezing temperatures persisted as Kargil recorded a bone-numbing minus 14.3 degrees Celsius while Leh reported minus 13 degrees Celsius.