Strong western disturbance expected to trigger widespread snowfall, travel disruptions likely today
Srinagar: Minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir dipped further on Thursday, with most places in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero night temperatures, while Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold conditions, officials said.
Reports said that Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous day.
Several parts of south Kashmir witnessed sharper drops, with Pulwama emerging as one of the coldest places at minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 4.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Anantnag settled at minus 5.3 degrees Celsius, while Shopian recorded minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam, a key tourist destination, recorded a minimum of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than Wednesday’s minus 3.8 degrees. Sonamarg remained cold at minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 5.5 degrees a day earlier.
Awantipora and Pampore also saw notable drops, recording minus 5.2 degrees and minus 5.0 degrees, respectively.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, while Baramulla and Aloosa Bandipora were relatively warmer at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius each.
Gulmarg, the ski resort, recorded a minimum of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than Wednesday’s minus 5.0 degrees.
In the Jammu region, night temperatures remained largely above freezing in the plains. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.2 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous day, while Jammu Airport logged 7.3 degrees.
However, Banihal recorded minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than Wednesday’s minus 2.3 degrees. Bhaderwah and Udhampur recorded minus 1.5 degrees and 1.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Ladakh continued to experience severe cold, with Leh recording minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, Hanle minus 11.0 degrees, and Kargil minus 8.4 degrees.
The Meteorological Department forecast widespread rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, with heavy precipitation likely over parts of the Pir Panjal range and south Kashmir during the night and continuing till Friday evening.
Officials said the plains of the Kashmir Valley may initially receive moderate rain before the precipitation gradually turns into light to moderate snowfall, with moderate to heavy snow expected over the lower and middle reaches.
The department also warned of the possibility of heavy rain or snowfall accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms in some districts of the Pir Panjal range, Chenab Valley, and south Kashmir.
An advisory has been issued cautioning about the risk of landslides at a few vulnerable locations.
Meanwhile, the independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather, said that a strong western disturbance is likely to impact Jammu and Kashmir from Thursday afternoon, bringing widespread rain and snowfall across the region.
The system is expected to first affect the higher reaches of north Kashmir before spreading to most parts of the Union Territory by night. There is a high probability of snowfall across the Kashmir plains and parts of Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Kathua, while the Jammu plains may receive moderate to heavy rainfall, the update said.
Although the western disturbance is expected to weaken within 24 hours, snowfall intensity during this period could remain high due to elevated moisture levels. The peak impact is likely from Wednesday night till Thursday late afternoon, with residual rain or snow possible in some areas until the morning of January 24.
Kashmir Weather said the system may trigger a sharp drop in temperatures, leading to a cold wave and prolonged cold conditions across the region for the remainder of the month.
Snow accumulation in the plains will depend on snow density, ranging from a few inches to over a foot in several areas, while higher reaches could receive two to four feet of fresh snowfall.
Strong wind gusts are also likely, and travel disruptions, including to flights, trains and road connectivity, are expected on January 23, it added
