SRINAGAR, Jan 24: Kashmir is witnessing chilly nights and warmer days, with a significant dip in nighttime temperatures and a notable increase in daytime warmth, according to officials.
The night temperature in Srinagar and other prominent weather stations in the Kashmir Valley continued its decline, falling below freezing, while the daytime temperature rose dramatically, with Srinagar recording a high of 13.3 C on Thursday, creating a summer-like ambiance under the bright sun.
Across various weather stations in the valley, maximum temperatures were recorded between 3 C and 7 C above the seasonal normal.
The harshest 40-day period of winter, known as “Chillia Kalan,” is set to conclude by the end of January.
During the night between Thursday and Friday, Srinagar’s minimum temperature further decreased to -3.3 C from -2.0 C the previous night, remaining 1.0 C below the average for Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital for this time of year.
Gulmarg in the Baramulla district of north Kashmir has remained the coldest area, with its minimum temperature dropping to -8.5 C from -7.5 C recorded the night before, which is 0.1 C below normal for this ski resort during this season.
Pahalgam also observed a decline to -7.0 C from -5.6 C the previous night, remaining 0.1 C below the average for this popular South Kashmir destination.
Qazigund, located on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, recorded a low of -2.5 C compared to -2.6 C the previous day, which is 1.8 C above normal for this crucial entry point to Kashmir.
Kokernag in South Kashmir saw a low of -1.5 C, just slightly above the -1.6 C of the previous night, remaining 2.2 C above the average for this lovely picnic destination during the season.
In Kupwara, temperatures dropped to -4 C from -2.2 C the previous night, which is 1.3 C below normal for this northern frontier district during this time of year.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has projected dry conditions across the region until January 28, with a slight chance of light rain and snow at isolated spots in Jammu and Kashmir expected today and again between January 29 and 31.
