Mercury settles above freezing point in most Kashmir parts

Srinagar, Jan 3: Amid forecast for moderate to heavy snowfall in next few days, the minimum temperature settled above freezing point across in J&K except Gulmarg and Pahalgam on Monday.
A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded a low of 3.0°C against previous night’s 0.3°C. It was 5.0°C over normal for this time of the year.
Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.
The mercury at the world famous resort of Gulmarg settled at minus 5.8°C against minus 6.2°C on the previous night, he said. Last night’s temperature was above 1°C normal there for this time of the year, he said.
Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of 1.4°C against minus 1.0°C on the previous night, he said.
Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against minus 1.7°C on previous night, he said. It is 4°C above normal for the place during the season.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.6°C against minus 1.9°C on previous night, the official said.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 2.0°C against minus 1.6°C on the previous night, the official said.
Jammu recorded a low of 7.7°C, same as that of the precious night which is almost normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 9.1°C against last night’s minus 9.1°C while Kargil recorded a minimum of minus 7.6°C, the official added. (GNS)