Srinagar: People continued to enjoy pleasant weather during the day when the maximum temperature remained above normal due to sunshine in the Kashmir valley, where the night temperature was below normal on Wednesday.
Interestingly the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, where Khelo India National Winter Games are scheduled to be held from February 25 to March 3, witnessed above normal maximum and minimum temperature, threatening early melting of snow. At famed health resort of Pahalgam the day temperature was above normal while minimum temperature was slightly below normal.
A Met department spokesman said on Wednesday that weather will remain dry during the next 72 hours in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there is possibility of isolated rain or snow on February 21, second day of 10-day-long Chilai-Bacha. The 20-day-long Chilai-Khurd which was followed after harhest 40-day-long Chilai-Kalan, will end on February 19, announcing the onset of Spring season in the Kashmir valley.
As the sun was again out this morning, people, though still wearing warm cloths, continued to enjoy pleasant weather. The maximum temperature remained 6 to 7 degree above normal in most parts of the valley though the minimum temperature was below normal at majority places, including summer capital, Srinagar.
Though shops and business establishments remained closed in Srinagar on Wednesday when a foreign envoy delegation arrived here to assess the ground situation, people could be seen basking in the sun in parks and other open fields.
Met spokesman said after recording 6.7 degree above normal day temperature on Tuesday, the minimum temperature in Srinagar on Wednesday witnessed further dip and settled at minus 1.2 degree, 2.9 notches below normal.
The sky would be mainly clear and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be 7 degree and minus one degree in Srinagar during the next 24 hours.
Gulmarg, about 55 km from here which is flooded with skiers, tourists and other adventure lovers, witnessed 6.2 degree above normal temperature on Tuesday, recorded minor improvement in minimum temperature. Against yesterdays night temperature of minus 4 degree, it was minus 3.2 degree, 2.3 notches above normal. Above normal mercury has threatened early melting of snow at the ski resorts.
Pahalgam, a health resort in south Kashmir also recorded 6.7 degree above day temperature yesterday. There was slight change in the minimum temperature today.
Kupwara, frontier district in north Kashmir recorded minus 3.2 degree minimum temperature which was 3 notches below normal.