Srinagar: Ahead of prediction of fresh spell of rain and snow from Wednesday, people enjoyed summer-like weather on Monday due to bright sunshine throughout the day in this summer capital and other parts of Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, barring world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and tourist resort of Pahalgam, the night temperature across Kashmir valley settled above freezing point, despite a dip in the mercury due to open skies.
A Met department spokesperson said that the weather will remain dry during the next 48 hours in Kashmir valley, which will result in further improvement in the maximum temperature though the mercury during the night is expected to dip.
However, he said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, would hit the region on Wednesday. “Under the influence of this WD, light rain, snow and thundershowers would occur at most places in the valley,” he said.
He said the system will further build, resulting in moderate to heavy rain across the valley for three days from Thursday. “A weather warning has been issued for Thursday and Friday during which surface and air traffic to the valley would be affected,” he added.
After witnessing a dip of over 2 degree in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly Monday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. However, as the day progressed sun came out from behind the clouds, resulting in major improvement in the day temperature though icy winds continued. Against 4.2 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature in the city settled at 1.9 degree. The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was over 4 degree above normal.
He said the skies will be mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 18 degree and 2 degree, respectively.
World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the coldest place in the valley after mercury dipped about 2 degree and settled at minus 5.5 degree.
The mercury at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped and settled at minus 3.6 degree, against 0.6 degree recorded on Sunday.
The night temperature at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at 3.8 degree, 0.4 degree and 4.2 degree, respectively.
