Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Dec 12: Kashmir was transformed into a winter wonderland on Thursday as fresh snowfall blanketed the region. Significant snow accumulation was recorded across the valley and in higher altitudes, with sub-zero temperatures gripping both Kashmir and the Ladakh Union Territory.
The snow-capped mountains of Kashmir have once again brought joy to tourists amid the cold wave conditions.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Gurez, along with other high-altitude areas, received fresh snowfall on Wednesday night, while intermittent snowfall continued until Thursday morning in other parts of the valley. This weather change is attributed to a fresh Western Disturbance impacting Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the fresh snowfall also brought some challenges, including slippery roads and traffic disruptions in certain areas. Despite this, avid tourists have been undeterred, eager to enjoy the chill and the breathtaking winter landscape of the Kashmir Valley.
Meanwhile, the night temperature rose across Kashmir, including Srinagar, due to overcast skies. Nevertheless, the minimum temperature remained below freezing across the valley.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3 degrees Celsius, up from the season’s lowest of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam saw temperatures drop to minus 1.8 degrees Celsius. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara registered minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, Nyoma recorded the coldest temperature at minus 15.4°C.
In the Jammu region, Ramban recorded the highest minimum temperature at 10.2°C, followed closely by Katra at 10.1°C and Jammu city at 6.8°C. Bhaderwah logged 2.9°C, Batote 5.3°C, Samba 2.7°C, and Banihal 3.9°C.
In Ladakh, temperatures remained well below freezing, with Nyoma at minus 15.4°C, Upshi at minus 9.3°C, Padum at minus 5.7°C, Kargil at minus 5.3°C, and Leh at minus 9.1°C.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, an official at the Meteorological Department in Srinagar forecast cloudy weather over the next 12 hours, with chances of light rain or snow in some areas. However, no major snowfall is expected, and a dry spell is likely to prevail in the coming days.
Meanwhile, an independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather, in a statement issued to Kashmir Despatch detailing snowfall accumulation in various parts of Kashmir, as follows:
– Sonamarg: 10 inches
– Zojila Pass: 12 inches
– Z Gali: 11 inches
– Sadhna Pass: 13 inches
– Sinthan Top: 13-15 inches
– Margan Top: 10 inches
– Peer Ki Gali: 10-12 inches
– Tangmarg: 3-4 inches
– Heerpora Shopian: 4 inches
– Shopian (main town): 2 inches
– Kulgam Aherbal: 3 inches
– Chiranbal Kulgam: 3-4 inches
– Pahalgam: 2 inches
– Baltal Pahalgam: 8 inches
– Sopore (main town): 2-3 inches
– Pattan Baramulla: 2 inches
– Khan Sahib Budgam: 2-3 inches
– Bandipora (main town): 1-2 cm
The weather forecaster noted that, as predicted, light snowfall was generally observed in some plains during the early morning hours of Thursday, while several higher reaches experienced heavy snowfall.
The weather is expected to remain generally cloudy over the next 12 hours, with a chance of rain or snow in some areas. Overall, no major snowfall is anticipated.
From tomorrow onward, mostly dry weather is expected to persist for the week the statement further reads.
