SRINAGAR, Dec 18: The prolonged dry weather in Kashmir is likely to end from December 20, with the Meteorological Centre Srinagar predicting snowfall over higher reaches and rain in plains across Jammu and Kashmir.
The possibility of snowfall from December 20-21 coincides with the beginning of Chillai Kalan, the harshest period of winter in Kashmir valley. Kashmir has witnessed a prolonged dry spell since the beginning of November.
According to the forecast, weather till Friday will remain partly to generally cloudy, with the possibility of very light snowfall at isolated higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir. However, a more active western disturbance is expected to affect the region from late night of December 20.
The MeT department said that December 20 and 21 are likely to witness generally cloudy conditions, with light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches of the Kashmir division and light to moderate rain at many places in the plains of Jammu and Kashmir.
The intensity of precipitation is expected to peak between late night of December 20 and late afternoon of December 21.
On December 22, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy, with light rain or snow at scattered places, while from December 23 to 29, conditions are likely to remain partly to generally cloudy.
Another spell of light snowfall is expected at isolated higher reaches on December 30 and 31.
MeT Centre warned that a few higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts may receive moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly on December 21. Travellers and transporters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and strictly follow traffic and administrative advisories.
The predicted snowfall is expected to bring relief from the prolonged dry conditions prevailing in the Valley, which had raised concerns over water resources, agriculture and winter tourism.
Meanwhile, night temperatures across Kashmir hovered close to the freezing point. Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of 0.2?C, while Qazigund and Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 0.8?C and 0.4?C respectively. The tourist resort of Gulmarg settled at 1.6C, officials said.
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