SRINAGAR, Jan 25: According to officials on Thursday, there could be a lengthy dry spell in Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days despite the forecast of rain and snowfall in sporadic to widespread locations. Because of the cloud cover, the Kashmir valley’s nighttime temperatures increased. According to reports, the minimum temperature in Srinagar city on Wednesday night was – 3.6 degrees Celsius, which was an increase from the previous night’s negative 5.3 degrees Celsius. According to the meteorological service, Jammu and Kashmir will see mostly cloudy conditions on Thursday night, with sporadic higher areas experiencing light snowfall. It indicated that there is a probability of light rain on Friday over the plains and light snow in the early morning hours of the upper elevations.The MeT office predicted that on Saturday, conditions will likely stay cloudy with a chance of light snow in isolated higher reaches late in the evening. On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, there will most likely be light to moderate rain and snow across extensive areas. It said that on February 1 and 2, there may also be light snow and rain in some areas. According to the weather office, the system may cause the temporary closure of significant passes, including the Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, Razdan Pass, Sadhna Pass, and Zojila Pass, especially between January 28 and January 31. Due to cloud cover, the nighttime temperature in the Kashmir Valley improved in the meantime.According to officials, the minimum temperature in Srinagar city on Wednesday night was – 3.6 degrees Celsius, which was an increase from the previous night’s negative 5.3 degrees Celsius. A minimum temperature of minus 6.3 degrees Celsius was recorded in Pahalgam, which is one of the base camps for the yearly Amarnath Yatra and is located in the Anantnag region in south Kashmir. The town of Qazigund reported a low temperature of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, while the Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir recorded a low temperature of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius. At 1.6 degrees Celsius below zero in Kokernag town and 3.7 degrees below zero in Kupwara, it was the lowest temperature ever recorded.In Kashmir, a dry and mostly snowless winter has produced frigid nights and warmer-than-normal days. Due to the protracted dry season that Kashmir has been experiencing, there was a 79% rainfall shortfall in December. For the first three weeks of January, most of the valley has seen no precipitation. The majority of Kashmir’s plains have not seen any snowfall, while the upper valley has had less snowfall than normal. Currently, Kashmir is experiencing “Chilla-i-Kalan,” a 40-day severe winter season during which a cold wave saturates the area and low temperatures cause water in pipes and bodies of water to freeze. During this time, there is a greater likelihood of snowfall, and most places—especially the higher reaches—get a lot of snowfall. The last day of “Chilla-i-Kalan” is January 31. After that, though, there will be two further cold spells: a 10-day “Chilla-i-Bachha” (baby cold) and a 20-day “Chilla-i-Khurd” (little cold).
