Srinagar, Jan 10 : The minimum temperature recorded a slight drop at most places but hovered above normal even as fog engulfed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.
A meteorological department official here told GNS that fog significantly reduced visibility in Srinagar, Qazigund and Jammu. However he said that the visibility will be improved as the day progresses.
Meanwhile, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 1.8ยฐC against last nightโs 0.9ยฐC. Todayโs minimum temperature was 3.7ยฐC above normal for the summer capital, he said.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 0.8ยฐC against 0.2ยฐC. Todayโs minimum temperature was 2.3ยฐC above normal for the gateway town, he said.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.2ยฐC against minus 0.7ยฐC on the previous night. Todayโs minimum temperature was .8ยฐC above normal for the place, he said. The coldest night recorded this season in the famous tourist resort in south Kashmirโs Anantnag district was on January 2 when mercury plunged to minus 9.6ยฐC.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 3.6ยฐC against minus 0.5ยฐC on the previous night, he said. It was 0.4ยฐC above normal for the place.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.4ยฐC against minus 2.5ยฐC on the previous night, the official said. It was 3.4ยฐC above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmirโs Baramulla district that saw its coldest night this season on January 2 when minimum temperature plummeted to minus 10.0ยฐC, the official said.
In Kupwara town, the mercury settled at 2.9ยฐC against 0.7ยฐC on the previous night in the north Kashmir area, he said. The official said that the temperature was 5.6ยฐC above normal.
Jammu recorded a low of 6.6ยฐC against 5.2ยฐC on the previous night. It was 0.8ยฐC below normal for J&Kโs winter capital, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 0.8ยฐC (above normal by 0.8ยฐC), Batote recorded a low of 4.2ยฐC (above normal by 2.7ยฐC), Katra recorded 7.6ยฐC (1.6ยฐC above normal) while Bhadarwah recorded a low of 4.0ยฐC (4.0ยฐC above normal).
In Ladakh, Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 7.6ยฐC and minus 9.4ยฐC respectively, the official said.
โUnder the influence of fresh western Disturbance, light to moderate rain/snow (rain in plains & light snow over higher reaches of Jammu division) most likely at most places of J&K with moderate snowfall intensity over higher reaches (isolated heavy over higher reaches of Kashmir especially Keran, Machil, Gurez, Tulail, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahlgam, higher reaches of Budgam, Higher reaches of Shopian and Kuligam),โ the meteorological department official said, adding, โThe main activity is during 11th late night to 12th Late night and gradual decrease thereafter.โ
Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It does not mean an end to the winter either. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called โChillai-Khurdโ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period โChillai-Bachhaโ (baby cold) which is from February 20 toย Marchย 1.(GNS)
