Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Jan 1: As Kashmir braces for two back-to-back Western Disturbances that are affecting the region tonight, cold wave conditions tightened its grip on Kashmir today.
The Meteorological Department said that a feeble Western Disturbance is expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir from January 1-2, with light snow at scattered places from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning.
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He said that from January 3-6, a moderate Western Disturbance is expected to bring light to moderate snow to most places in the region, with peak activity from January 4-6.
The MeT office added that there is a possibility of heavy snow at a few places in the higher reaches during the second spell.
Meanwhile, the night temperature dropped at most places in Kashmir as cold conditions tightened their grip on the Valley.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.8 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 11.5 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg was the coldest recorded place in the Valley.
Pahalgam registered a minimum of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, slightly up from minus 8.4 degrees Celsius.
In Srinagar, the mercury dipped to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius last night, down from the previous night’s minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius, while Konibal in Pampore town also recorded a low of minus 7.5 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara recorded minus 0.3 degrees Celsius, while in South Kashmir, Kokernag recorded minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the harshest period of winter — which began on December 21. During the 40 days of Chillai-Kalan, the chances of snowfall are highest, and the temperature drops considerably.
Chillai-Kalan ends on January 29, but the cold wave continues even after that. Chillai-Kalan is followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bacha’ (baby cold).
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