Srinagar, Jan 11: Amid the forecast of light snowfall, the cold weather persisted across Kashmir.
Almost all the weather stations across Kashmir recorded below-freezing levels temperatures during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
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The Meteorological Department’s Srinagar office said there is a possibility of light rain in plains of Jammu and snow at isolated higher reaches of Jammu Kashmir on Saturday.
The weather would remain generally dry from January 12-14 while generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches on January 15 and 16, MeT said.
In the Kashmir Division, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -3.6°C, which is 1.7°C below normal.
The Zojila Pass, connecting Kashmir Valley with Ladakh Union Territory, witnessed a bone-chilling low of -32.0°C, marking it as one of the coldest spots in the region.
The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded night temperatures of -6.5°C. Qazigund and Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded lows of -6.5°C and -7.6 °C, respectively, both significantly below normal levels.
The Automated Weather Stations (AWS) in other areas freezing temperature. Budgam experienced -3.6°C, Baramulla dipped to -2.6°C, and Pulwama recorded -5.1°C. Shopian and Kulgam in south Kashmir were also among the coldest spots, recording -8.0°C and -6.6°C, respectively.
In the Jammu Division, comparatively higher minimum temperatures were observed, but the chill was still evident. Jammu recorded 7.1°C, which is normal for this time of year, while Banihal experienced 0.2°C, and Bhaderwah dipped to -0.6°C. Katra recorded a low of 6.1°C.
Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest phase of winter, that began on December 21. Spanning 40 days, this period is characterized by a significant drop in temperatures and heightened chances of snowfall, making it the coldest and most challenging time of the season. The ‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 30. (Agencies)
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