Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remained in the grip of a severe cold wave on Monday, even as the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, predicted partly to generally cloudy weather over the next few days and indicated the likelihood of light snowfall in mid-December.
According to the MeT, the weather is expected to stay partly cloudy on December 8 and generally cloudy on December 9. From December 10 to 12, no significant weather activity is forecast, with the sky likely to remain partly cloudy.
However, the department said a change in conditions is expected thereafter. Light snowfall is likely over the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir between December 13 and 15. The weather is expected to turn partly cloudy again from December 16 to 18.
Between December 19 and 21, J&K may experience mixed weather conditions, with cloudy skies and the possibility of light snowfall over some higher areas.
Even before the anticipated snowfall, most parts of the region recorded freezing temperatures. In Kashmir, Shopian was the coldest at –4.2°C, followed by Budgam, Pulwama, and Baramulla, which all recorded minimum temperatures of –3.1°C.
Srinagar settled at –2.4°C, while the airport area dipped to –3.2°C. Gulmarg recorded –2.5°C and Sonamarg –2.8°C.
Qazigund and Kupwara registered –1.2°C, Pampore –2°C, Bandipora –2.2°C, and Awantipora and Anantnag –1.4°C each. Kokernag was the only major south Kashmir station above freezing at 0.1°C, while Kulgam recorded 0.8°C.
Cold conditions also prevailed in the Jammu region. Udhampur was the coldest at 2°C, followed by Rajouri at 1.8°C and Samba at 2.7°C. Jammu city recorded 7.9°C and the airport area 9°C. Katra settled at 9.6°C, while Kathua recorded 7.8°C. Bhaderwah recorded 2.6°C, Banihal 4.5°C, Batote 5.8°C, Ramban 5.6°C, Reasi 6.5°C, and Doda and Kishtwar 5°C each.
In Ladakh, the cold wave was more severe, with Leh recording –6.2°C, Kargil –5°C, and Nubra Valley –3.7°C.
Despite the ongoing chill, the MeT has forecast mainly dry weather across J&K and Ladakh over the next 24 hours, ahead of the expected change in weather patterns later this month.
