The picturesque Kashmir Valley turned into a winter wonderland as fresh snowfall graced the mountains on Tuesday, particularly at the famed ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir. Light snowfall was also recorded at Sonamarg, while parts of the valley and Jammu experienced scattered rain showers, cooling the region further.
According to the Meteorological Department, Gulmarg received 8.4 cm of snowfall, with Kupwara witnessing 4.6 mm of rain during the day. Light rains briefly touched Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Qazigund, while Jammu division’s Banihal and Batote recorded 1.2 mm and 0.2 mm rainfall, respectively.
The precipitation brought a dip in day temperatures, with Srinagar’s maximum temperature falling to 11.1°C from Monday’s 14.9°C. Gulmarg remained chilly, with a maximum temperature of 0.2°C and a minimum of -3.2°C. However, night temperatures slightly improved across the region.
The Meteorological Centre has forecast more wet weather in the coming days, with possibilities of light rain or snow at scattered locations on Wednesday and isolated areas on Thursday. The dry spell predicted from January 24-28 will likely end with another round of light rain or snow towards the month’s close.
As the harsh 40-day winter period of Chilai-Kalan nears its end, the La Niña effect promises a winter marked by periodic snow and rain, adding to the valley’s serene charm.
