Cold conditions prevail in J&K, snowfall chances loom over next week

Srinagar, Dec 24: Cold conditions continued to prevail across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as maximum temperatures in many parts of the Kashmir division remained 0–2 degrees Celsius below normal. Several areas of the Jammu division recorded day temperatures 1–3 degrees above normal, officials said.
Night temperatures, however, stayed above normal by 4–5 degrees at many places in Kashmir and by 2–4 degrees at several locations in Jammu.
Gulmarg was the coldest place in the Valley with a minimum temperature of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah recorded the lowest night temperature in the Jammu division at 0.6 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast partly cloudy weather across Jammu and Kashmir from December 24 to 28, with generally cloudy conditions and the possibility of light snowfall at isolated higher reaches on December 29.
Officials said that from December 30 to January 1, the region is likely to witness generally cloudy weather with chances of light rain over the plains and light snowfall over higher areas at scattered places.
The weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy from January 2 to 5.
Meanwhile, travellers and transporters have been advised to follow traffic and administrative advisories, while moderate to dense fog is likely to affect the plains of the Jammu division during the next four days, the officials added.
Another weather forecaster said that J&K is likely to witness mostly dry and cold conditions till December 29, with a western disturbance expected to affect the region between December 30 and January 2, bringing widespread rain and snowfall.
The forecaster said that, as per current indications, the season’s first snowfall is also possible over the plains of Kashmir, including Srinagar city.
He added that forecast clarity is expected to improve in the coming days as weather model signals become more consistent and reliable. (KNO)