Srinagar, Jan 06: Cold conditions tightened their grip on Kashmir on Tuesday as light snowfall in parts of the higher reaches led to a further dip in night temperatures across the Valley.
Gulmarg, the famous ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, emerged as the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir, recording a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius on Monday night.
Officials said the snowfall occurred under the influence of a weak western disturbance, with light snow reported along the Mughal Road and in upper reaches of Ganderbal district during the night. The brief spell was enough to push minimum temperatures down at most locations in the Valley.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4 degrees Celsius, slipping slightly from minus 3.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. In south Kashmir, tourist resort Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley, recorded minus 3 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag saw the mercury settle at minus 2 degrees Celsius, whereas Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, officials said.
Kashmir is currently passing through ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter period marked by severe cold, sub-zero night temperatures and the highest likelihood of snowfall. Notably, the plains of the Valley are yet to receive any snowfall this winter season.
Weather conditions are expected to remain largely dry but cloudy till January 20. (KINS)
