Srinagar– Snowfall and rainfall are likely to affect parts of Jammu and Kashmir around New Year’s Eve, with a western disturbance expected to approach the region towards the end of December, the Meteorological Department said.
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, generally cloudy weather is expected from December 30 to January 1, with chances of light rain over the plains and light snowfall over higher areas at scattered places. The weather is likely to remain partly to generally cloudy from January 2 to 5.
Another weather forecaster said that mostly dry and cold conditions are expected to prevail till December 29. However, a western disturbance is likely to impact the region between December 30 and January 2, bringing widespread rain and snowfall. The forecaster added that the season’s first snowfall is also possible over the plains of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, as per current indications.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department reported that cold conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Maximum temperatures in many parts of the Kashmir division remained 0 to 2 degrees Celsius below normal, while several areas of the Jammu division recorded day temperatures 1 to 3 degrees above normal.
Night temperatures stayed above normal by 4 to 5 degrees at many places in Kashmir and by 2 to 4 degrees at several locations in Jammu. Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the Valley at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah was the coldest place in the Jammu division with a minimum of 0.6 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, travellers and transporters have been advised to follow traffic and administrative advisories, as moderate to dense fog is likely to affect the plains of the Jammu division over the next four days.
Avalanche Warning Issued For 5 Districts
Authorities on Wednesday issued a low danger avalanche warning for five districts of Jammu and Kashmir in view of recent snowfall in the higher reaches, officials said.
The warning has been issued for Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts. Avalanches are likely to occur at elevations above 2,800 metres in these areas during the next 24 hours.
People have been advised to stay away from avalanche-prone zones and follow official advisories.
Most higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir have received moderate to heavy snowfall over the past few days.
