Srinagar

Cold conditions intensified across Kashmir as minimum temperatures dipped further, while the meteorological department has forecast multiple spells of wet weather, particularly in higher reaches of the valley, over the coming days.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Friday night, a sharp fall from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night. Shopian in south Kashmir emerged as the coldest place in the valley, with the mercury plunging to minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.

Tourist resort Pahalgam registered a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, unchanged from the previous night. Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a minimum of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.3 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, which witnessed moderate snowfall on Friday, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, officials of the Meteorological Department said.

Qazigund, the gateway town to the valley, recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag and Kupwara registered minimum temperatures of minus 2 degrees Celsius and minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The Kashmir Valley is currently experiencing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter phase marked by intense cold and frequent snowfall. The period, which began on December 21, will conclude on January 30, followed by ‘Chilla Khurd’ and ‘Chillai Bachha’.

The Meteorological Department said successive western disturbances are likely to affect the region, bringing intermittent wet spells over the next few days.

Light snowfall at isolated higher reaches is expected on Saturday and Sunday, while light to moderate rain or snow is likely on January 19 and 20. The MeT office also forecast the possibility of light snow over higher areas on January 21, followed by light to moderate precipitation until January 25.

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Some districts of the Chenab valley, Pir Panjal range and parts of south Kashmir may receive heavy rain or snowfall between January 23 and 24, the department added.