Western Disturbances line up over Kashmir; snowfall looms

Srinagar, Jan 16: A series of Western Disturbances is set to bring fresh snowfall to Kashmir over the coming days, Meteorological Department (MeT) officials said on Friday, even as overnight temperatures recorded a temporary rise across much of the Valley.

According to IMD officials, a feeble Western Disturbance would bring light snowfall to parts of north and central Kashmir on Friday evening.

The officials said another weak Western Disturbance was expected to affect the region between January 19 and 20, likely to bring light to moderate snowfall over higher altitude areas.

However, a major Western Disturbance is forecast to approach from the evening of January 22, with peak activity expected on January 23 and 24, the officials said.

During this period, moderate to heavy snowfall is likely in the upper reaches, while the plains may also witness significant snow accumulation.

“The phenomenon will continue up to January 25,” the officials said.

They said that the weather would improve from January 26.

In Srinagar, the overnight minimum temperature improved to minus 1.5 degrees Celsius on Friday, up from minus 3.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

The city’s airport also recorded a significant rise, with the mercury climbing to minus 2.8 degrees Celsius from minus 5 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

South Kashmir saw a noticeable moderation in temperatures.

Anantnag recorded minus 2.8 degrees Celsius on Friday, compared with minus 5.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while Pulwama improved to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius from minus 6.1 degrees Celsius.

Shopian recorded minus 3.9 degrees Celsius, up from minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, and Qazigund rose to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius from minus 4.7 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam recorded minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 5 degrees Celsius a day earlier.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara’s minimum temperature rose to minus 1.4 degrees Celsius from minus 4.9 degrees Celsius, while Sopore recorded minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Baramulla recorded 0.4 degrees Celsius, improving from minus 2.2 degrees, and Bandipora rose to minus 0.7 degrees Celsius from minus 2.7 degrees Celsius.

Central Kashmir also recorded a rise in night temperatures.

Budgam recorded minus 2.2 degrees Celsius on Friday, compared to minus 4.8 degrees Celsius the previous night, while Ganderbal improved to 0.1 degrees Celsius from minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Pampore rose to minus 2.5 degrees Celsius from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag recorded 0.2 degrees Celsius, up from minus 1.1 degrees Celsius.

At the tourist resorts, Gulmarg recorded minus 2.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, slightly higher than minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while Sonamarg saw a sharp rise to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius from minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.

In contrast, the Jammu region remained largely stable, with Jammu city recording 4.7 degrees Celsius on Friday, marginally higher than 4.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

MeT officials said the rise in temperatures was due to increased cloud cover, though they cautioned that cold conditions were likely to persist during the night hours across much of Kashmir.