Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 24 : The freezing weather conditions continued in Kashmir with Srinagar settling at a low of minus 5.4 degree Celsius even as the Weatherman has forecast snowfall in the hills of Kashmir from 26th of December.
“Mainly dry weather till December 25. From 26-30th generally cloudy sky with intermittent light to moderate snow is expected at scattered places of Kashmir, higher reaches of Jammu and light rain in plains of Jammu (60% chance),” a Meteorological Department official said.
“Snowfall and below freezing temperatures may lead to temporary disruption of surface transportation on places like Mughal Road, Zojila, Karnah, Sadna Top during 26-27th, although there’s no forecast of any major snow spell,” he said.
The MeT official said that the temperature in Srinagar dropped by 0.6°C against the previous night and was just a notch below 22 December’s minus 5.5°C which was the coldest of the season so far. The mercury was 3.4°C below normal during this time of the year for the city.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.4°C against minus 4.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 2.4°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 6.4°C, the same as on the previous night. Apart from being below normal by 1.4°C, it remained the 2nd coldest night this season in the tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.9°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night. It was 1.8°C below normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6.4°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C below normal for the skiing resort.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at minus 5.2°C against minus 5.1°C on the previous night. While being 2.6°C below normal, it was the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter in the town.
Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 13.0°C and 12.5°C respectively.
It is Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period in Kashmir that began on December 21 and will end on January 30. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
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