Srinagar, Oct 26: Weather turned pleasant on Monday after a cold night due to snowfall on upper heights, including world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, in the Kashmir valley, where summer capital, Srinagar, recorded 0.6 degree minimum temperatures, coldest so far.
However, a Met department spokesman said the weather will remain dry in the valley during the next one week.
After witnessing light snowfall on upper reaches, the minimum temperature recorded drop in the Kashmir valley due to icy cold winds and cloudy sky in the plains.
Gulmarg, the famed skiing resort in north Kashmir witnessed snowfall on Sunday afternoon resulting in cold. However, the upper reaches, including Seven Springs, Khilanmarg and Affarwat, the highest skiing point connected by Gandola Cable Car (GCC) received few inches of snowfall.
Tree tops and fields had turned white there much to the delight of tourists, mostly locals. However, a hotel owner told UNI that sun came out from behind the clouds today melting snow at Gulmarg, where the minimum temperature today was minus 1.5 degree, a notch below normal while the maximum temperature on Sunday was 10 degree which was 3.2 degree below normal.
Weather also turned pleasant in Srinagar, where people could be seen basking in the sunshine in the parks and other open places after wearing warm clothes on Sunday due to chilly winds. Tourist places, particularly Mughal garden on the bank of Dal Lake witnessed tourist rush today.
Met department spokesman said the minimum temperature in Srinagar was 0.6 degree, which was more than 3 degree below normal. It was coldest night so far, he told UNI. The maximum temperature on Sunday was 18.4 degree, 2.8 degree below normal, he added. However, he said, the weather will remain dry during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where darbar move offices, seat of the government, will close on October 30 to reopen in winter capital November 9.
The minimum temperature at famed health resort of Pahalgam, also witnessed drop due to snowfall on upper heights, including Holy Amarnath cave shrine and its periphery, Panjterni, Sheshnag and Mahaguns. Met spokesman said Pahalgam recorded minus 1.8 degree minimum temperature which was lowest in the valley.
However , he said Kargil and Drass, the second coldest place after Siberia, witnessed coldest nights.
In border town of Kargil the minimum temperature was minus 5.8 degree due to snowfall on upper heights.
