2 strong WDs to hit J&K this week
Jammu’s temp goes 4 deg above normal
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Jan 21: While two strong Western Disturbances (WDs) will hit J&K this week, the night temperature improved at most places across Kashmir and Jammu regions, even as the prolonged dry spell in the plains of the Valley is likely to end with the Meteorological Department forecasting spells of wet weather, including widespread snowfall ahead.
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A MeT official said that two strong Western Disturbances (WDs) are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir this week, with the first one making its impact on Thursday, and another on the evening of January 26. Under the influence of these systems, widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall is expected, including in the plains of the Valley, with heavy falls at a few places, the official said.
He, however, said that the main activity of these weather systems would occur on January 23 and 27.
The weather system, beginning on Wednesday evening, could end the prolonged dry spell in the plains of Kashmir as the MeT office has forecast the possibility of light to moderate snowfall in the plains, including Srinagar, the official added.
It may disrupt the surface and air traffic, he said.
The Kashmir valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, a 40-day period of extreme cold during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point, and the chances of snowfall are the highest.
‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, which began on December 21 last year, ends on January 30.
While the higher reaches of Kashmir have received spells of snowfall, the plains of the Valley have remained snowless so far this winter.
Meanwhile, the night temperature improved at most places across Kashmir valley on Tuesday night.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar improved by a degree to settle at a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, the MeT official said.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg, in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, and Shopian, in South Kashmir, were the coldest recorded places in the Valley at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius each.
The popular Ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, recorded a low of minus 5.0 degrees Celsius.
The Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, up from the previous night’s minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature in Qazigund, settled at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded a minus 0.6 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 3.0 degrees Celsius.
However, day temperatures across the region stayed several notches as it was sunny day in Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded maximum of 13.6 degree Celsius, Qazigund 14.0 Celsius, Pahalgam 11.2 degree Celsius, Kupwara 12.8 degree Celsius, Kokernag of 12.4 degree Celsius and Gulmarg 4.2 degree Celsius. It was 6.5 degree Celsius, 7.4 degree Celsius,6.4 degree Celsius, 5.4 degree Celsius, 7.0 degree Celsius and 4.1 degree Celsius above normal respectively for these places.
The weatherman further said that Jammu experienced a significant increase in day temperature during last couple of days. He said winter capital Jammu today recorded a day temperature of 22.0 degrees Celsius, about four degrees above normal for the day during these winters. The night temperature, however, remained 7.2 degrees C today.
Holy township of Katra recorded a day temperature of 20.6 deg C and minimum temperature of 7.6 deg C; famous tourist destination Bhaderwah a minimum temperature of -1.8 degree C; Batote 2.5 deg and Banihal minus 2.3 deg C temperature today.
Rajouri recorded a night temperature of 0.5 degrees C, Poonch 5.7 deg C, Udhampur town 0.6 deg C, Kishtwar 3.1 degrees, Doda 3.4 deg, Reasi 4.4 deg C, Ramban 3.6 deg, Kathua 6.0 while Samba registered 0.1 degree C temperature on Wednesday night.
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