Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 17: While the cold conditions gripped Kashmir valley with a drop in minimum temperatures, the Meteorological department forecast spells of wet weather, especially in the higher reaches of the Valley and some parts of Jammu region over the next few days.
With the improvement in weather and sunny day today, the flight operation almost remained normal at Jammu airport. With the good sun shine today, the day temperature has also improved.
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Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius last night, down from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius the previous night. Shopian in south Kashmir was the coldest recorded place in the Valley, with the mercury settling at a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, same as the previous night, while Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district registered a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night’s minus 2.3 degrees Celsius. Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, which received moderate snowfall on Friday, recorded a low of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, officials of the Meteorological department said.
Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley, saw the mercury settle at minus 3.4 degrees Celsius. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, they added.
Winter capital Jammu experienced some rise in the day temperature as good sunshine was visible on Saturday. The day temperature in Jammu was 20.1 deg C about 2.6 degrees above normal, while it was 14.6 deg C on Friday. The night temperature however, remained 4.6 deg C today.
Katra Mata Viashnodevi recorded a maximum temperature of 19.8 deg C and minimum 7.4 deg on Saturday; Bhaderwah tourist resort a minimum temperature of 1.5 deg C and maximum 16.0 deg C; Batote a night temperature of 5.7 deg while Banihal town registered a minimum temperature of 6.4 deg C today.
Rajouri town recorded a night temperature of -0.5 deg C, Udhampur 1.6 deg C, Reasi 2.7 deg, Doda 6.6 deg while Kishtwar town a minimum temperature of 6.2 deg C today. Reasi, however, recorded a day temperature of 14.8 deg C which was lowest in the region.
Meanwhile, the flight operation at Jammu Airport remained by and large normal today as it was sunny day in most parts of Jammu region. The visibility has also improved since yesterday.
The Kashmir valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the 40-day harshest winter period, during which night temperatures frequently plunge several degrees below the freezing point, and chances of snowfall are the highest.
‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, which began on December 21 last year, will end on January 30, followed by ‘Chilla Khurd’ and ‘Chillai Bachha’.
The Meteorological Department has said back-to-back western disturbances would impact Kashmir, causing wet spells over the next few days.
Light snow at isolated higher reaches is possible on Sunday, while light to moderate rain/snow is likely on January 19 and 20, it said.
The MeT office said there is a possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches on January 21, following which light to moderate rain or snow is likely till January 25. A few districts of the erstwhile Doda district, Pir-Panjal range and south Kashmir might get heavy rain or snow on January 23 and 24.
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