Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Mar 17: Several upper reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, while plains recorded rains for third consecutive day on Tuesday.
An official said that areas including Gurez, Karnah and Razdan Top experienced fresh snowfall, while light rainfall was reported in Srinagar and other plains of the Valley.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar said the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy with brief spells of light rain in plains and light snowfall over higher elevations at a few places till March 20.
The MeT office said a few upper reaches of the Chenab Valley and parts of South Kashmir may receive moderate to heavy snowfall during this period.
After this spell, weather conditions are expected to improve for a few days. The department said the region is likely to remain generally dry from March 21 to March 25.
However, another spell of cloudy weather is expected between March 26 and March 28, with the possibility of light rain in plains and light snowfall over higher reaches at scattered to many places.
The Meteorological Department has issued an advisory for travellers and the general public, particularly those moving through mountainous areas and important passes.
Travellers, transporters and people planning to move across higher reaches and key mountain passes have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly between March 18 and March 20 in view of the expected weather activity.
The department also warned of the possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour at a few places during the same period. It said isolated locations may also witness hailstorms.
Farmers have been advised to suspend agricultural operations between March 18 and March 20 due to the expected wet weather conditions.
Meanwhile, weather data released by the department showed Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 14.9 degrees Celsius on Monday, slightly below the normal of 16 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature settled at 4.4 degrees Celsius.
Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 25.7 degrees Celsius, about 1.8 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 11.5 degrees Celsius.
Among other stations, Gulmarg recorded a maximum temperature of 4.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded a maximum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius and a minimum of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, the MeT department said. (KNO)
