Two WDs to hit J&K from today; rain, snow likely

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar Dec 31: After a day’s respite, severe cold wave again gripped the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region today while widespread rains and snowfall are likely over the most places in State from January 1 onwards due to back-to-back Western Disturbances (WDs).
A Meteorological Department official said that widespread rains and snowfall are likely over the most of places in Jammu and Kashmir from January 1 onwards due to back-to-back (WDs).
The official said that the present Western Disturbance lies over Jammu and Kashmir and neighbourhood and another Western Disturbance is likely to affect western Himalayan region from 1st January.
“Now, as two back to back Western Disturbances are approaching the northern hills, we expect first week of January to experience widespread rain and snowfall activities,” he said.
He said that minimum temperatures will rise by 1-2 degree celsius and are likely to rise further. However, with a short break on January 3, another rainy spell will be observed over the hills which is expected to last till January 6.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius today while the day temperature settled at 11.6 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund in South Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius and the day temperature was 12.6 degrees Celsius.
The nearby Kokernag town registered a low of minus 2.3 degrees Celsius and he day temperature 10. 8 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius and the day temperature was 11.6 degrees Celsius.
The night temperature in Pahalgam in South Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius and the day temperature was 10. 0 degrees celsius.
The ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.0 degrees celsius and the day temperature settled at 5.4 degrees celsius.
The night temperature in Leh town in Ladakh region settled at minus 14.0 degrees Celsius and the day temperature was 4.1 degree celsius.
The night temperature in Kargil town in Ladakh region settled at minus 17.2 degrees celsius and the daty temperature was 1.2 degree celsius.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.
‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir. The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).

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