‘Erratic weather’ forecast in JK till Feb 8

Srinagar, Feb 2: Meteorological department here on Wednesday forecast “erratic weather” with occasional snowfall at scattered places till February 8.
“Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain, snow is expected during February 2-4 with main activity on 3rd with possibility of isolated heavy rain and snow mainly in South Kashmir and Jammu region,” an official of the meteorological department said. “Light rain and snow is also most likely at scattered places during February 6 to 7. Some places in Jammu region may receive thunderstorm and hailstorm on February 3,” he said, adding, “Overall, weather likely to remain (erratic) partly to generally cloudy with occasional light snowfall at scattered places till February 8.”
Meanwhile, minimum temperature dropped at most places in Kashmir Valley.
The official told GNS that Srinagar, the summer capital of the J&K, recorded a low of minus 1.9°C against last night’s 1.8°C.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.8°C against minus 0.3°C on the previous night, he said.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had a low of minus 2.6°C, same as recorded on the previous night, the official said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.1°C against minus 6.2°C on the last night, he said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 8.0°C against minus 9.0°C on the previous night, he said. The temperature is 0.4°C below normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.2°C against 0.3°C on the previous night, the official said.
While the ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter ended on January 30, Kashmir is under the grip of the 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ which would be followed by 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.1°C against previous night’s 7.2°C. The temperature was 1.3°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.1°C, Katra had a minimum of 6.0°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of minus 1.0°C, the official said.
Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 13.6°C against last night’s minus 12.4°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 18.2°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 22.0°C against last night’s minus 20.2°C, official said. (GNS)