SRINAGAR: On Thursday, severe cold wave conditions covered most of Kashmir, including Srinagar, in a thick layer of fog. According to a meteorological department official, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.3°C, which was 1.2°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K at this time of year, compared to minus 2.6°C the night before. Fog returned to most of the Valley, including Srinagar, causing visibility problems and slowing down traffic. According to him, Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.8°C as opposed to minus 3.2°C the night before. According to the MeT official, the minimum temperature was 1.5°C lower than usual for Kashmir’s gateway town. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.44°C, which was 0.2°C below normal for the well-known south Kashmir resort, compared to minus 4.6°C the night before. According to the official, Kokernag, located in south Kashmir, saw a minimum temperature of minus 2.0°C, down from minus 2.2°C the night before. The temperature was also 0.7°C higher than usual for the area. According to the official, Kupwara town in north Kashmir saw a low of minus 4.3°C, down from minus 4.2°C the night before. It was also 1.8°C below average. According to the official, Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.6°C, down from minus 2.8°C the night before. The temperature was also 3.6°C higher than usual for the well-known north Kashmiri skiing resort. According to him, Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 5.8°C, which was 1.6°C below normal for the winter capital of J&K, compared to 7.6°C the night before. According to him, the lows at Banihal (9.2°C), Batote (6.2°C), and Bhaderwah (2.0°C) were recorded. The Kashmir valley is experiencing “Chillai-Kalan,” a severe 40-day winter season that ends on January 30. It does not, however, signal the end of winter. The next two periods are called “Chillai-Khurd,” which lasts for 20 days from January 30 to February 19, and “Chillai-Bachha,” or “baby cold,” which lasts for 10 days from February 20 to March 1. The weatherman has forecast a day of mostly cloudy skies with a chance of light snowfall in a few isolated higher regions. “Generally dry weather with moderate to dense fog over Central Kashmir, Plains of Baramulla, Ganderbal and Pulwama districts is expected till 31st December,” said a MeT official. He did, however, mention that there might be some light snowfall over higher areas on December 31st evening or night. He said that dry weather is predicted for January 1-2.On January 3–4, generally cloudy conditions with light rain or snow are predicted in “isolated” locations.
