Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 15: After warmer days in Kashmir, the Weatherman has forecast a dip in the day temperatures after February 18 due to approaching Western Disturbances over the region.
A Meteorological Department official said that there will be a significant drop in day temperature in the region from Feb 18 due to the impact of the back-to-back Western Disturbances.
The official said that a moderate to intense Western Disturbance most likely will affect J&K and adjoining areas during 17th (Night) -21st (Forenoon).
“Under the influence of this system, widespread light to moderate rain/snow is expected in J&K with heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches with main activity during 18th to 20th Feb,” he said.
The official said that the system is likely to cause heavy rain/snow over Pirpanjal Range of Jammu Division and higher reaches of Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg- Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass and Kupwara-Sadhna pass in Kashmir.
The official said that this may lead to disruption of surface and air transport including Jammu- Srinagar National Highway and other major roads of middle and higher reaches of the J&K.
He advised the travellers to plan accordingly in view of inclement weather.
He has asked the people in snow bound areas to avoid venturing into sloppy and avalanche prone areas. “Farmers are advised to withhold irrigation, fertilizer and chemical spray activities during the above period,” the advisory read.
In the meantime, the minimum temperatures continued to stay below freezing point in Kashmir with Srinagar recording a low of minus 3.0°C today. It was below normal by 3.2°C for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 2.0°C, same as the previous night and it was 1.9°C below normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.4°C against minus 5.2°C the previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the resort.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 0.2°C, same as the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 1.1°C for the place.
Kupwara recorded a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 3.4°C the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal there.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 4.2°C the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 3.6°C for the skiing resort.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 17. 7 degree Celsius temperature today which was 7.8 degree Celsius above normal for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 17.9 degree Celsius which is 8.5 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 13.4 degree Celsius which is 6.9 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Kupwara recorded a maximum of 17.1 degree Celsius which is 8.4 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Kokernag recorded a maximum of 14. 8 degree Celsius which is 6.9 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 10. 0 degree Celsius which is 9.2 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
As ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter ended on January 29, Kashmir is presently in the middle of 20-day-long winter period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that ends on February 18 and is followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which starts on February 19 and ends on February 28.
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