Leh freezes at minus 11.9, Gulmarg shivers at minus 5.2

At minus 11.9 and minus 5.2 degrees Celsius as the night’s lowest temperatures on Friday, Leh town and Gulmarg were the coldest places in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, respectively.

The mercury dropped to a bone-chilling minus 11.9 degree Celsius on Friday in Leh town of Ladakh region while the famous ski resort, Gulmarg of Jammu and Kashmir recorded minus 5.2 degree Celsius as the minimum temperature.

The weather office has forecast another short spell of snow and rain in Jammu and Kashmir beginning Friday evening.

The 40-day long period of harsh winter cold known locally as the ‘Chillai Kalan’ starts on December 21 and will end on January 31.

While the night temperatures drop several notches below the freezing point during this period, the day temperatures also hover around 7 degrees.