Srinagar, January 30: The 40-day winter phase known as ‘Chillai Kalan’, recognized as Kashmir’s harshest winter period, concluded on a bright Thursday. However, as the day progressed into evening, overcast skies emerged, generating hopes for some precipitation following an extended dry spell.
Beginning on December 21, Chillai Kalan is typically marked by its high likelihood of snowfall and plunging temperatures that frequently fall well below freezing.
The season started with an extremely low temperature of minus 8.5 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, setting a new record not seen in 50 years.
Unfortunately, snowfall during this period was limited, with January experiencing little rain or snow.
Interestingly, this winter season also saw uncharacteristically warm days in the latter half of January, where maximum temperatures ranged five to seven degrees above normal.
While light snowfall graced the higher altitudes of north Kashmir on Wednesday, the remaining areas of the valley turned cloudy by Thursday evening, igniting optimism for snow or rain that night.
Following Chillai Kalan, the region will transition into a 20-day period known as ‘Chillai Khurd (small cold)’ and then to a 10-day phase termed ‘Chillai Bachha (baby cold)’.
On Thursday, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was reported at minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to a spokesperson from the Met office.
Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir, recorded a nighttime temperature of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, while the popular ski resort Gulmarg experienced a chilling low of minus 7.6 degrees.
In Qazigund, another town along the highway in south Kashmir, the minimum temperature recorded was minus 2.5 degrees Celsius. Kokernag also faced a low of minus 2.5 degrees, and Kupwara in north Kashmir noted a minimum of minus 2.2 degrees.
