The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir is set to end just before Chille Kalan, with the Meteorological Department predicting snowfall in higher reaches and rain in the plains. This weather shift follows nearly two weeks of dry conditions.
An official from the MeT Department stated that weather conditions between December 18 and 19 will likely be partly to generally cloudy, with expectations of very light snowfall at isolated higher reaches in North and Central Kashmir.
A more active western disturbance is projected to affect the region from late night on December 20 to 21. This could bring light to moderate snowfall in the upper elevations and light to moderate rain across various locations in the Jammu and Kashmir plains, according to the official.
The forecast anticipates that December 22 will see predominantly cloudy conditions alongside light rain or snowfall in scattered areas. From December 23 to 29, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy. On December 30 and 31, similar cloudy conditions may lead to light snowfall at isolated higher reaches.
The MeT Department has also issued an advisory regarding potential snowfall. It warns that higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts could experience moderate to heavy snowfall, notably on December 21.
Officials recommend that travelers and transporters carefully plan their journeys and adhere to traffic and administrative advisories during this period.
In related weather news, temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir remain above normal in most areas. For instance, Srinagar observed a maximum temperature of 10.6°C, which is about 1.2°C above average. The minimum temperature in this region settled at 0.2°C.
Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 8.8°C, nearly 4°C above normal, while its minimum measured at 1.6°C. Additionally, Kupwara saw maximum temperatures reach 10.8°C and minimums drop to -1.0°C.
Further, Pahalgam recorded a high of 11.2°C with a low of 0.4°C, while Qazigund reached 13.0°C and a minimum of 0.8°C. In the Jammu region, Jammu city reported temperatures peaking at 22.3°C with minimums at 11.0°C.
Significantly, the MeT Department confirmed that no rainfall occurred at any monitored station over the past 24 hours, emphasizing the impact of previous dry spells.
