Srinagar, Dec 4: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches received fresh snowfall while skies were cloudy in plains in Kashmir valley on Friday, resulting in chilly weather conditions.
However, the night temperature improved and settled above normal across the valley, where there is prediction of wet weather during 48 days.
The border town of Kargil was the coldest place in the region at minus 8.2 degree, followed by Leh where the mercury settled at minus 7 degree.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and approached the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, has hit the region on Friday.
He said under the influence of the WD, light snow is expected at isolated to scattered places of Kashmir and Zojila area of Ladakh on Friday and Saturday. “Weather is expected to be dry on Sunday,” he added.
However, he said there is more than 70 per cent chance of fresh spell of light to moderate snow at many places of Kashmir, Drass and Zojila on December 7 and December 8, adding this spell seems to be weaker than the previous once but could lead to temporary closure of Srinagar-Leh highway.
Much to the delight of the tourists, Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, received a brief spell of light snowfall in the afternoon, resulting in further dip in the maximum temperature. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received light snowfall. “Despite chilly weather conditions and brief snowfall, the tourists are out on ski slopes, which are already covered under several feet of snow, enjoying different activities,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.
The mercury at the ski resort improved marginally and settled at minus 2.2 degree, which is slightly above normal.
People woke up to a chilly and cloudy Friday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar, where the night temperature improved marginally and settled at minus 1.2 degree, which is slightly degree below normal. The chilly weather conditions continued in the city throughout the day due to cloudy skies coupled with ice cold winds. Auto-drivers and mechanics had burned wood early in the morning on roadsides to keep themselves warm in the city, where people are forced to use traditional means of heating due to frequent power cuts.