Srinagar, Dec 9: Jammu and Kashmir is set for a major upgrade in weather monitoring, with the Meteorological Department preparing to install four new Doppler Weather Radars and nearly 80 automatic weather stations across the Union Territory.Director of the Meteorological Centre, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, told Excelsior that J&K currently has three Doppler Weather Radars—located in Srinagar, Jammu and Banihal—and the new systems will be installed in south Kashmir, north Kashmir, the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range.
“These additional radars will give us better coverage and more accurate short-range alerts,” he said.
He added that the department is also expanding its observational network, informing that in the coming years, around 80 automatic weather stations, along with automatic rain and snow gauges, will be installed across J&K.
“This will strengthen our data collection,” Dr. Ahmad said.
Explaining the forecasting process, he said it operates at multiple levels, starting from nowcasting—which covers the next three hours—up to short-range, medium-range and seasonal forecasts.
These systems, he said, rely on satellite imagery, radar data, ground observations and weather models processed through high-capacity computers.
“Every day, we launch balloons from Srinagar and Jammu to study the vertical profile of the atmosphere. All this data feeds into models that generate forecasts for different time ranges,” he said.
He noted that improved forecasting is also linked to better dissemination of information.
“We use multiple platforms to share updates—email to the administration and media, and regular posts on social media. In any snow or flood-like situation, advisories are issued on time,” Dr. Ahmad added.
On weather patterns, Dr. Ahmad said last winter remained mostly dry until late February, when multiple snowfall spells occurred till late March. Pre-monsoon activity remained normal except for hotter conditions in June.
He said the monsoon brought heavy rainfall to the Jammu division, with stations in Jammu, Udhampur, Bhaderwah and Reasi recording unusually high totals.
“After the monsoon’s withdrawal, the weather again turned dry, leading to rising pollution levels in the absence of wet spells,” he said.
According to him, stable winter conditions keep dust and pollutants near the surface, creating smog-like situations until a significant wet spell improves air quality.
On the current weather activity, he said forecasts show no major activity till December 19.
“A weak Western Disturbance on December 13–14 and another on December 20–21 may bring light snowfall to the higher reaches, while the plains are expected to remain dry,” he said.
