Fresh Snowfall Blankets Kashmir, More Wet Weather Expected

Kashmir witness snowfall on Thursday with spells of rain, especially in higher reaches of the valley, the weather office said.

Pahalgam and Sonamarg tourist resorts, Zojila axis, upper areas of Budgam, Gurez, Bandipora, Ganderbal and other places got snow in the morning.

Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Baramulla plains also got light snow, officials said.

In Srinagar, light snowflakes started when this report was filed, they added.

Met department has forecasted generally cloudy weather with light rain or snow at scattered places in Kashmir for the rest of the day. Light snow at isolated higher reaches cannot be ruled out during the weekend.

Light snow at isolated to scattered places on January 20-21 and light to moderate snow at scattered to fairly widespread places on January 22-23, MeT said.

Meanwhile, due to overcast sky, minimum temperature across the valley has increased and people are getting some relief from the cold.

Minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 2.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, up from minus 4.8 degrees Celsius of previous night.

Gulmarg, the skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded minus 7 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam, one of the base camps for Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, recorded minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, up from minus 8.4 degrees Celsius of previous night.

Qazigund was minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, Konibal in Pampore minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, Kupwara minus 1.9 degrees Celsius and Kokernag minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is in “Chillai-Kalan” — the coldest period.

During the 40 days of “Chillai-Kalan” which started from December 21, chances of snowfall are maximum and temperature drops.

“Chillai-Kalan” ends on January 30 and then comes 20 days of “Chillai-Khurd” (small cold) and 10 days of “Chillai-Bachha” (baby cold).