EARly Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 22: There was slight dip in the maximum temperature due to overcast conditions though it remained above normal in the summer capital, Srinagar, and other parts of Kashmir valley, where rain and snow is predicted from Monday during the next 3 days under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance (WD).
However, the night temperature improved and settled above freezing point across Kashmir valley.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI that light snow and rain could occur at many places in Kashmir valley on Monday under the influence of a WD, which has hit the region. “Another WD, which originated from the Arabian Sea and is approaching the region though Afghanistan and Pakistan, will hit the region in coming days,” he said.
He said under the influence of these two WD, scattered to widespread rain and snow would occur in J&K during from Monday night to ending February. “This system is most likely to affect North Kashmir, extreme western Ladakh during the next 2days,” he said, adding central, south Kashmir, Pirpanjal and Jammu region will be affected from February 25onwards.
He said heavy rain and snow would occur at some places during February 25 and February 26. “Due to the weather, flights may be disrupted at Srinagar international airport on February 26,” he added.
After witnessing an improvement of about 5 degree in the night temperature, people woke up to a chilly Monday morning in Srinagar. Against 1.4 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature in the city improved and settled at 5.8 degree, which is 5 degree above normal. The sun played hide and seek throughout the day, but the maximum temperature remained 5 degree above normal in the city, where people were seen basking in the sun in parks, balconies and open fields.
The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, which is covered under several feet of snow, witnessed an improvement of about a degree since Sunday in the night temperature, which settled at 0.6 degree, 6 degree above normal. “Despite chilly weather conditions due to overcast conditions, tourists, particularly adventure lovers, were out on ski slopes, enjoying different snow related activities on Monday,” a hotelier from Gulmarg told UNI over the phone.
The maximum temperature at world famous tourist of Pahalgam, which is under several feet of snow, dipped though settled about 4 degree above normal.
The night temperature at the resort, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also improved about 3 degree from Sunday and settled at 1.2 degree, which is 3 degree above normal.
The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag improved and settled at 3 degree, 4 degree each, respectively. |
