Light Snow, Rain Likely in J&K as Western Disturbance Affects Region; Leh Freezes at -8.8°C

Srinagar, Jan 16:Cold weather conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with sub-zero minimum temperatures recorded at several places in the Kashmir Valley, while parts of the Union Territory are expected to witness light snowfall and rain over the next 24 hours due to a weak western disturbance.

According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Pulwama emerged as the coldest place in the Kashmir Valley, recording a minimum temperature of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Shopian at minus 3.9 degrees Celsius. Srinagar city registered a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the temperature at Srinagar Airport dipped to minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.

Other places in the Valley also experienced chilly conditions, with Qazigund at minus 1.6°C, Pahalgam minus 2.6°C, Kupwara minus 1.4°C, Pampore minus 2.5°C, Budgam minus 2.2°C, Anantnag minus 2.8°C, Sopore minus 2.4°C, and Beerwah at minus 1.7°C. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, recorded a minimum of minus 2.3°C, while Kokernag, Baramulla and Ganderbal hovered just above the freezing point.

In the Jammu region, comparatively milder temperatures were recorded. Jammu city settled at 4.7°C, while Banihal recorded 2.9°C, Bhaderwah 2.0°C, Kathua 3.8°C, Udhampur 3.0°C, and Rajouri 3.8°C. Katra recorded 8.8°C, Batote 7.7°C, and Doda 7.0°C.

Meanwhile, the cold wave remained severe in Ladakh, where Leh recorded a freezing minimum temperature of minus 8.8°C, Hanle minus 11.2°C, Kargil minus 8.3°C, and Nubra Valley minus 7.1°C.

Weather officials said that a weak western disturbance is influencing the region, bringing chances of light snow and rain at several places during the next 24 hours. Fresh snowfall is likely over higher reaches, including Kupwara, Bandipora (Razdan Top, Gurez, Tulail Valley), Ganderbal (Sonamarg and the Sonamarg–Drass axis), and Anantnag’s Pahalgam areas such as Chandanwari and Aru Valley.

Light snowfall is also possible at Gulmarg, along the Pir Panjal range, including Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Peer Ki Gali, Sadhna Top, Zojila Pass, Doodhpathri and Sonamarg, officials said.

Plains across Kashmir are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with the possibility of light rain or very light snowfall at isolated places.