Kashmir sees warm days, cold nights

Kashmir is experiencing warmer days and colder nights due to dry weather, with the Meteorological Department predicting spells of precipitation from January 29, officials said on Monday.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at -5.5°C on Sunday night, compared to the previous night’s -5.6°C, the Meteorological Department said.

Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, recorded a low of -6.4°C, up from -7°C the night before.

The tourist resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of -5.2°C, compared to -5.8°C the previous night.

The minimum temperature was -4°C in Qazigund, - 6°C at Konibal in Pampore town, -4.3°C in Kupwara, and -1.8°C in Kokernag.

Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’the harshest period of winter. During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, which began on December 21, the chances of snowfall are the highest and the mercury drops considerably.

‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 30, followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).

The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather till the evening of January 29.

A fresh spell of light rain or snow at scattered places during January 29 night or January 30 morning and at isolated places during January 31 is possible, the MeT Office said.

From February 1-2, there is a possibility of light rain or snow at scattered to fairly widespread places, while on February 3, light snow at certain isolated higher reaches is possible.

From February 4-5, light rain or snow can take place at scattered places, it added.

The MeT said there can be a rise in minimum temperature by 2-4 degrees at many places from January 29 onwards.