Srinagar, Jan 11: The chilly weather conditions have further intensified in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir due to overcast conditions though the night temperature improved and settled above normal.
Meanwhile, world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was the only place in the valley where the mercury dipped about 2 degree from Sunday and settled at minus 9.6 degree.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that weather will remain dry during the next about three days. “The dry weather will result in considerable dip in the night temperature though the maximum temperature is expected to improve due to sunshine,” he said.
He said a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which will originate in Arabian Sea and would approach the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, would hit the region on Thursday.
“It would be a weak current and would result in light snowfall at some places in the valley,” he added.
After witnessing an improvement of over a degree in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly Monday morning in Srinagar due to overcast conditions, coupled with ice cold winds. The weather remained chilly throughout the day due to overcast conditions. Against minus 2.6 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature in Srinagar was minus 0.2 degree, which is over a degree above normal. Mechanics and drivers would be seen early in the morning burning wood on roadsides to keep themselves warm in Srinagar, where interior roads and by-lanes remained under show which has now frozen due to sub-zero temperature. The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was 2 degree below normal.
Gulmarg, where the ski slopes are covered under several feet of snow, was the coldest place in the valley at minus 9.6 degree, which is 2 degree below normal. “Despite chilly weather conditions, the tourists are out on ski slopes enjoying different snow related activities. All the ski slopes have been thrown open for tourists,” a hotelier from Gulmarg said.
The night temperature at world famous health resort of Pahalgam improved about a degree from Sunday and settled at minus 4.6 degree, which is 2 degree above normal.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of kukernag settled at minus 0.2 degree, minus 1 degree and minus 2 degree, respectively.