Sub-Zero Cold Grips Kashmir as Gulmarg Freezes at –8.6°C | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Cold conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, with most parts of the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures.

Gulmarg, the famed tourist resort, emerged as the coldest location in the Valley, registering a minimum temperature of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam followed at minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, while Shopian recorded minus 6.0 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar witnessed a minimum temperature of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, with the mercury dipping further to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius at Srinagar Airport. Other areas also endured freezing nights, including Anantnag at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, Pulwama at minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, Zethan Rafiabad at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, Baramulla and Srinagar at minus 4.0 degrees Celsius each, and Budgam at minus 3.9 degrees Celsius.

Kupwara and Bandipora both recorded minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, while Pampore logged a minimum of minus 3.0 degrees Celsius. Kokernag and Awantipora recorded minus 2.0 and minus 2.4 degrees Celsius respectively. Kulgam remained comparatively warmer at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius. Temperature data for Ganderbal and Sonamarg was not available.

In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures largely stayed above the freezing mark. Jammu city recorded 5.2 degrees Celsius, while Jammu Airport registered 7.6 degrees Celsius. Kathua was the warmest in the region at 8.4 degrees Celsius.

Elsewhere, Banihal recorded 1.5 degrees Celsius, Batote 1.7 degrees Celsius, Ramban 2.7 degrees Celsius and Doda 3.1 degrees Celsius. Rajouri touched the freezing point at 0.0 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah was the coldest place in the region at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, officials said.

The Meteorological Department has forecast the continuation of cold weather, with chilly nights likely to persist over the coming days. Weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir are expected to remain largely dry during “Chillai Kalan”, the 40-day harsh winter period that began on December 21. A weak western disturbance that affected the Union Territory few days ago brought light rain and snowfall to multiple parts of Kashmir.