Night temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir continued to remain below normal, with all weather stations in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, even as the Meteorological Department (MeT) forecast largely dry weather conditions across the Union Territory over the next several days.
According to MeT officials, no major spell of rain or snowfall is expected across J&K till February 16. However, brief and light precipitation is likely at isolated higher reaches on select dates.
The department said there is a possibility of light snowfall over a few higher reaches of north and central Kashmir on February 6, mainly towards late evening or night. Weather conditions on February 7 and 8 are expected to remain generally dry across most parts of the region.
On February 9, light rain or snow may occur at isolated higher altitudes during the night hours. February 10 is forecast to remain generally cloudy, with chances of light rain or snowfall accompanied by gusty winds at several places. Conditions on February 11 are expected to stay partly to generally cloudy, with scattered locations likely to receive light precipitation.
Thereafter, February 12 and 13 are predicted to remain dry. Cloud cover is likely to increase again on February 14, with the possibility of light snowfall at isolated higher reaches, while February 15 and 16 are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy without any significant precipitation.
“Overall, no major rain or snow is forecast over the entire J&K till February 16,” the MeT department said.
Meanwhile, cold conditions intensified during the night across the Valley. Minimum temperatures stayed 1–2 degrees Celsius below normal at many places in the Kashmir division, while scattered locations in the Jammu division also recorded temperatures below seasonal averages.
Sonamarg in Ganderbal district emerged as the coldest place in Kashmir, recording a minimum temperature of minus 8.3 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg recorded minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam settled at minus 7.5 degrees Celsius. Srinagar city recorded a minimum of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu division, Bhaderwah was the coldest, registering a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.
