Weather to improve from Feb 4: MeT
Srinagar, Feb 01: Parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall in higher reaches while rains lashed the plains as night temperatures rose above the freezing point at several places, including Srinagar, officials said on Sunday.
Snowfall was reported from the higher reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Qazigund in Kulgam district, while many parts of south Kashmir witnessed rainfall, they said. Srinagar city also experienced early morning rain.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast light to moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next three days, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds at several places. An improvement in weather conditions is likely from February 4 onwards.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that on February 1, isolated areas of Valley witnessed light rain and snowfall across the Union Territory. There is also a possibility of thunderstorms and gusty winds late at night.
“On February 2, light rain and snowfall are likely at isolated higher reaches, particularly towards night, while February 3 is expected to see light rain and snowfall at many places across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar said the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy from February 4 to February 6, providing temporary relief from precipitation. However, light rain and snowfall may occur at a few places on February 7, followed by partly cloudy conditions from February 8 to February 10.
The MeT advised people, especially those travelling to higher reaches, to exercise caution due to the possibility of snowfall and gusty winds. No major weather warning has been issued for the period, it said.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at 2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night, up from minus 0.1 degrees Celsius the previous night and 2.6 degrees above the seasonal average.
Gulmarg in Baramulla district was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 7 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, up from minus 2.6 degrees Celsius the previous night and 3.8 degrees above normal.
Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of 0.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag zero degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 1.7 degrees Celsius. Temperature data from Sonamarg was not available, officials said.
A 20-day ‘Chillai Khurd’ (small cold) commenced on Saturda,y following the end of the 40-day harsh winter period, ‘Chillai-Kalan’. It will be followed by the 10-day ‘Chillai Bachha’ (baby cold), marking the gradual transition towards spring.
