Amid snowfall predictions, winter intensifies in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: With another phase of snow and rain predicted by the Meteorological Department, the nightly winter has intensified in the Kashmir valley.

According to a spokesperson of the department, the weather is likely to remain partly cloudy but dry in the valley from December 27 to 29.

He said that on December 30, the weather will remain cloudy with light snowfall or rain at some places.

They say that later from December 31 to January 1, the weather will remain cloudy with light snowfall or rain at many places, while moderate snowfall may occur in the hilly areas of North and Central Kashmir.

The spokesman said that on January 2, the weather may be partly to partly cloudy and light snowfall is expected at some places during this time.

He said that the weather in the valley is likely to be partly cloudy from January 3 to 7, while on January 8 and 9, the weather is likely to remain partly cloudy.

In its advisory, the department has asked passengers and transporters to strictly follow traffic and management advisories.

He said that parts of Jammu province may experience moderate to heavy fog during the next two days.

Meanwhile, the onset of winter has intensified as night temperatures in the valley have been recorded below freezing point.

The summer capital Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, where the coldest night of the current season was recorded on November 28 when the night temperature was recorded at minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg and Pahalgam, popular tourist spots of the valley, recorded minimum temperatures of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius and minus 4.8 degrees Celsius respectively.

Another popular tourist spot in the valley, Sona Murg, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in the border district of Kupwara was minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund, a town known as the Gateway of Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.

South Kashmir's Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, minus 4.7 degrees Celsius and minus 1.9 degrees Celsius respectively.

North Kashmir's Baramulla and Bandipora districts recorded minimum temperatures of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius and minus 2.0 degrees Celsius respectively.

Central Kashmir's Budgam and Ganderbal districts recorded minimum temperatures of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius and minus 1.8 degrees Celsius respectively.

In Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh Union Territory, the Shabana temperature was recorded as minus 9.9 degree Celsius and minus 9.2 degree Celsius respectively, while the minimum temperature was recorded as minus 18.1 degree Celsius in Kasbah Daras.