Srinagar, Feb 24 (UNI) Another spell of snow and rain is predicted from Friday under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) in Kashmir valley, where weather remained pleasant due to bright sunshine since Monday afternoon.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that weather will mainly remain dry during the next 24 hours in Kashmir valley. However, he said a fresh WD, which originated from the Arabian sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit J&K on Thursday.
“A weather warning has been issued for Friday and Saturday during which heavy rain and snow would occur at isolated places and light to moderate rain and snow at most places under the influence of this WD in the valley,” he added.
There was slight respite for people from chilly weather conditions in Ladakh, where water-bodies — including lakes and streams — remained frozen due to several degrees’ below freezing point temperature. The people in the newly created Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh are mostly dependent on hot water springs during winter. The border town of Leh was the coldest place in the region after the mercury dipped about 2 degree from Sunday and settled at minus 9.5 degree.
After witnessing slight improvement in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly Monday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar. However, as the day progressed sun came out from behind the clouds, resulting in major improvement in the day temperature though ice cold winds continued. Against minus 0.1 degree recorded on Sunday, the mercury in Srinagar improved and settled at 0.3 degree, which is still below normal. The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was over 7 degree above normal.
World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, was the only place in the valley where the night temperature dipped and settled at minus 4.8 degree, which is about a degree below normal.
The mercury at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg improved about 2 degree from Sunday and settled at minus 3 degree, which is about 4 degree above normal. “After witnessing above normal night temperature, the weather during the day witnessed improvement as sun came out from behind the clouds on Monday afternoon 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, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kokernag settled at 0.4 degree, minus 1.4 degree and 3.8 degree, respectively.
