Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 17 : As Kashmir braces for an extended wet spell beginning this evening, night temperature today jumped with only Gulmarg recording below freezing level while day temperatures plummeted.
As the Weatherman has forecast a wet spell from this evening, it is snowing in Sonamarg and higher reaches of Kashmir.
Srinagar saw an increase by over 4°C, recording a low of 3.0°C against minus 1.6°C on the previous night. It was above normal by 2.0°C for the city for this time of the year, he said.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of 1.0°C against minus 1.2°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 0.7°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night and it was 5.1°C above normal for the resort.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of 2.0°C against 0.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 2.9°C for the place.
Kupwara town recorded a low of 3.3°C against 2.4°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C above normal there.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 5.6°C for the skiing resort.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 15. 5 degree Celsius temperature today which was 5.6 degree Celsius above normal for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 16.6 degree Celsius which is 7.2 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 13.2 degree Celsius which is 6.7 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 15.2 degree Celsius which is 7.3 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 7.9 degree Celsius which is 7.1 degree Celsius above normal for the place during this time of the year.
The weatherman has forecast “extended wet spell” in Jammu and Kashmir from Saturday night onwards till afternoon of February 21.
“A couple of moderate to intense Western Disturbances most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from February 17 afternoon onwards,” he said.
Under the influence of the weather Systems, he said, an “extended wet spell” is likely from February 17 (night) onwards till February 21 (Afternoon) most likely over J&K and adjoining areas.
In Kashmir Valley, he said, partly to generally cloudy with possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches is expected towards late Saturday night.
On February 18, he said, generally cloudy weather with possibility of light to moderate rain and snow is expected at many places.
From February 19-20, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at most places (plains and lower reaches) with possibility of heavy snowfall over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam, Shopian and Kulgam districts during late afternoon of February 19 to February 20 late night.
From February 21, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate snow at many places till afternoon and late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter.
The MeT office also issued an advisory, saying that the system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan pass, Zojila etc.
“Travellers are advised to plan accordingly,” the MeT official said, adding, “farmers are advised to withhold irrigation and fertilizer application and drain out excess water from Orchards and fields during the above period.”
He said a significant drop in day temperature is expected during the period.
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 from February 19 to February 28.
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