Due to a clear night sky, temperatures dropped in Jammu and Kashmir, with Srinagar hitting minus 4.9 degrees Celsius. Dense morning fog disrupted life in Jammu city, affecting both surface and air traffic due to poor visibility.
In Srinagar, the harsh, chilly wind kept people indoors as it blew in from the mountain tops. The bitter winter cold is expected to persist, with no significant snowfall predicted for the upcoming week.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.9 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam registered minus 3.5 degrees and minus 6.2 degrees, respectively. The Meteorological Department forecasts partly to generally cloudy weather until January 18 and 19.
From January 20, there may be generally cloudy weather with light rain/snow in isolated places. Between January 21 and 23, expect partly to generally cloudy weather with light rain/snow scattered across the region. The MeT Department anticipates partly cloudy weather in the union territory from January 24 to January 25.
The MeT Department advisory suggests a gradual rise in minimum temperatures at many places. Moderate fog over the plains of Jammu division, with dense fog at isolated spots, is likely to persist for the next five days. The forecast indicates mostly cold, dry weather in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Valley, until January 25.
The ongoing dry spell has raised concerns as the region heavily relies on snowfall during the 40-day ‘Chillai Kalan’ period for water needs. This critical period is halfway through, yet the plains of the Valley await the season’s first snowfall. Chillai Kalan concludes on January 30, and snowfall in February and March, which melts quickly, does not adequately replenish the mountain reservoirs.
