Srinagar: There was considerable improvement in the day temperature due to sunshine though ice cold winds continued in Kashmir valley, where world famous ski resort of Gulmarg was the coldest place at minus 11 degree.
Meanwhile, the mercury during the night remained below normal at most places in the valley, where isolated snow and rain is predicted during the next 24 hours.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that rain or snow could occur at isolated places in the valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD). “The WD has phased off and will have very less impact in the valley,” he said, adding weather will again turn dry from Thursday onwards.
All water-bodies remained frozen due to extreme chilly weather conditions in Ladakh region, where people are dependent on hot water springs during winter months. Border town of Kargil was the coldest place in the region at minus 23.5 followed by Leh, where the mercury improved about 7 degree and settled at minus 15.3 degree.
After witnessing a dipped of about a degree in the night temperature, people woke up to a cloudy and chilly Wednesday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. However, as the day progressed sun came out from behind the clouds, resulting in considerable improvement in the maximum temperature. The night temperature in the city improved and settled at minus 3.9 degree, against minus 3 degree recorded on Tuesday. During this 40-day-long Chilai Kalan, which ended on January 29, Srinagar received heavy snowfall, breaking about 30 year old record.
The night temperature at Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, dipped about a degree and settled at minus 11 degree. “The weather witnessed improvement as sun came out from behind the clouds on Wednesday in Gulmarg, which is famous for its ski slopes and quality of snow. Tourists, including foreigners, were out on ski slopes enjoying different activities,” a hotelier told UNI.
The mercury during the night at Qazigund, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at minus 4.5 degree, minus 3.2 degree and minus 3.4 degree, respectively.
