Min temp in Kashmir division rises, but still below freezing

Night temperatures across Kashmir division, including Ladakh region, increased last night, but continued to stay below the freezing point, even as the MeT Department said a western disturbance would affect the state next week and warned of heavy rains and snowfall.

A Meteorological Department official said Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius last night - up by 0.6 degrees from the previous night, while the mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir settled at a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius up from minus 1.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.

He said Kokernag, the only place across the Valley and Ladakh region where the night temperature stayed above the freezing point, recorded a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius up from 0.7 degrees Celsius yesterday.
 

Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a minimum temperature of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night's minus 3 degrees Celsius, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, over a degree up from the previous night's minus 3.8 degrees Celsius.

The MeT official said Pahalgam, which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, registered a minimum of minus 1.3 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night's minus 2 degrees Celsius.

Leh, in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius last night, he said, adding Kargil town recorded a low of minus 7 degrees Celsius.

According to the MeT department, the weather is likely to remain dry in the Valley till December 10 and a fresh western disturbance is most likely to affect the state from December 11 to 15.

"Under the influence of this system, moderate to heavy rain or snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region. The main activity of this system (moderate to heavy rainfall or snowfall) is likely to occur from December 12 to 13 and gradually decrease thereafter," the official said.

This would be the first major wet spell for the state during this season, he said, adding there would be significant fall in the day temperature and slight rise in night temperature.