Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Dec 20: Minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir showed a marginal improvement on Saturday compared to the previous day, though cold conditions continued to prevail. The weather department has forecast a spell of rain and snowfall over the next few days, with the 40-day harsh winter period, locally known as Chillai Kalan, set to begin on December 21.
Chillai Kalan, a Persian term meaning “Major Cold”, marks the coldest phase of winter in the Valley and will continue till January 31. It is followed by Chillai Khurd (Small Cold), from January 31 to February 19, and Chillai Bacha (Baby Cold), from February 20 to March 2.
Meanwhile, fresh snowfall began late Saturday evening in the Warwan Valley, Sinthan Top, Razdan Pass and Sadhna Top in north Kashmir and other upper reaches.
The Zojila Pass on the Srinagar–Ladakh highway also received fresh snowfall.
In the Kashmir Valley, Pulwama recorded the coldest night at minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, up from minus 4.0 degrees Celsius a day earlier. Shopian followed at minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, improving from minus 3.5 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday.
Pampore registered a minimum of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, warmer than minus 3.5 degrees Celsius the previous day.
Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, significantly higher than Friday’s minus 2.1 degrees Celsius.
At Srinagar Airport, the minimum temperature settled at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 3.4 degrees Celsius a day earlier. Qazigund and Pahalgam recorded minus 1.0 degrees Celsius each, showing improvement from minus 1.8 degrees Celsius and minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Kupwara registered minus 0.7 degrees Celsius, up from minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, while Baramulla improved to minus 1.5 degrees Celsius from minus 3.6 degrees Celsius. Bandipora recorded minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 2.8 degrees Celsius on Friday. Gulmarg, the ski resort, saw a minimum of 2.0 degrees Celsius, up from 1.0 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, night temperatures also rose at most places. Jammu city recorded 9.3 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than 9.9 degrees Celsius the previous day, while Jammu Airport settled at 11.0 degrees Celsius, nearly unchanged from 11.1 degrees Celsius. Banihal recorded 3.8 degrees Celsius, marginally higher than 3.5 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah improved to 4.4 degrees Celsius from 2.3 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than minus 4.6 degrees Celsius a day earlier, while Kargil recorded minus 4.0 degrees Celsius on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast a spell of rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days.
Light to moderate snowfall is likely over higher reaches, while light to moderate rain is expected at most places in the plains from the evening of December 20 to the evening of December 21.
On December 22, light rain or snowfall is forecast at scattered places, followed by partly cloudy weather from December 23 to December 30. There is also a possibility of light snowfall at a few higher reaches on December 31, officials said.
An advisory has been issued warning that a few higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts may receive moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly on December 21.
Authorities have advised travellers and transporters to plan their journeys accordingly and strictly follow traffic and administrative advisories to avoid inconvenience and accidents.
The onset of Chillai Kalan is traditionally associated with the harshest winter conditions in Kashmir, during which temperatures often plunge well below freezing, bringing challenges to daily life but also attracting tourists to snowbound destinations in the Valley. (KNO)
