Srinagar- Minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remained largely unchanged on Saturday compared to the previous day, even as the Meteorological Department forecast a prolonged wet spell with the possibility of heavy rain and snowfall in several areas later this month.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, the same as on Friday. Qazigund and Pahalgam also witnessed identical overnight lows of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius and minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, respectively, showing no variation from the previous day.
Gulmarg registered a minimum of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, unchanged from Friday. Shopian and Pulwama remained among the coldest plains at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius and minus 5.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Anantnag recorded minus 4.7 degrees Celsius.
In north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, Baramulla minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, and Bandipora minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, all matching the previous day’s readings. Srinagar Airport also recorded minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, while Budgam and Awantipora stood at minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, with no day to day fluctuation.
The Jammu region also witnessed stable night temperatures. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 4.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal 0.6 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 1.5 degrees Celsius, and Rajouri minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. Katra and Kishtwar experienced relatively warmer nights at 7.4 degrees Celsius and 7.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Ladakh continued to reel under intense cold conditions. Drass remained the coldest place, recording a minimum of minus 9.9 degrees Celsius. Leh and Hanle recorded minus 7 degrees Celsius and minus 8 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Kargil registered minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, all unchanged from Friday.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast partly to generally cloudy weather on January 18, with light snowfall expected at isolated higher reaches. From January 19 to 20, light to moderate rain or snowfall is likely at scattered to fairly widespread places.
A more intense wet spell is expected between January 22 and 25, with the possibility of heavy rain or snowfall over parts of the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal range, and south Kashmir districts, particularly on January 23 and 24.
The MET office has issued an advisory warning of possible landslides at vulnerable locations and urged travellers to plan their journeys carefully. Farmers have also been advised to suspend farm operations during the peak wet spell.
