SRINAGAR, Jan 28: The next 24 hours are expected to bring light to moderate rain and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar. The minimum temperature at several stations throughout the Kashmir valley has significantly improved. The weather is currently gloomy with light rain and snow in certain areas, including the Gulmarg ski resort.According to the MeT office, from Sunday afternoon to January 29 late afternoon, there is a chance of light to moderate rain or snow in many areas of J&K, with heavy snowfall possible over isolated higher reaches of the Kashmir Division, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, Anantnag, and Kulgam districts. While the weather will remain mostly cloudy with light rain or snow at many places towards late afternoon or evening on February 1-2, it was stated that from January 30-31, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow at many places in J&K, with chances of heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches. Many locations in J&K may have light to moderate rain or snow between February 3 and 4.The MeT office reported that from January 28 (night) to January 31 (afternoon), there is a chance of sporadic light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder or lightning in the plains of Jammu Division, along with light snowfall over higher reaches and significant snowfall over isolated higher reaches. Additionally, an advice has been released stating that, especially between January 28 and 31, the weather system may result in the temporary closure of highways in higher reaches and significant passes, such as Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna and Razdan Pass, Zojila, etc. The MeT office cautioned travellers to arrange their trip appropriately.Farmers have been advised not to use fertiliser or irrigation during the period of wet weather, and to remove surplus water from fields and orchards. It said that throughout that period, daytime temperatures will noticeably drop. On Sunday, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, saw a low that was 4.3 degrees Celsius above average as opposed to the usual -1.0 degrees. Srinagar’s minimum temperature from the previous day was 13.3°C, which is 5.8°C warmer than typical for this time of year. The other Valley stations’ lows, as reported by the MeT office, were -0.6?C at Qazigund, -0.8?C at Pahalgam, 2.1?C at Kupwara, -0.1?C at Kokernag, and -3.5?C at Gulmarg.
