Srinagar, Gulmarg record all-time high Feb day temperature amid unusual warm winter in Valley

Srinagar, Feb 21: Amid an unusually warm winter, Srinagar and Gulmarg on Saturday recorded its all-time highest day temperature for February, as the Kashmir Valley continues to witness temperatures far above the seasonal average.

A Meteorological department official told GNS said day temperatures across several parts of Kashmir have been settling 9-11 degrees Celsius above normal. Bright sunshine over the past few days has pushed mercury levels significantly higher than usual winter readings.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Srinagar, recorded maximum of 21.0 °C which was 10 °C above normal, he said.

Previously, on February 24, 2016, Srinagar had recorded a high of 20.6°C, which stood as one of the highest February temperatures for the city.

On weekend also, the maximum temperatures in many areas remained 9–11 degrees above normal. The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a maximum temperature of 11.5°C, which was 9.5 degrees above normal. It marked the highest-ever day temperature for February in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, surpassing the previous record set on February 11, 1993.

Other weather stations across the Valley also reported above-normal temperatures. Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a maximum of 20.0°C, while Kokernag registered 18.3°C.

Tourist destinations and other towns also experienced the heat surge, with Pahalgam recording 17.2°C and Kupwara touching 20.0°C. Meanwhile, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 25.2°C.

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather is expected to remain generally dry from February 21 to 25. On February 26, MeT said, partly to generally cloudy is expected and from February 27–28, partly to generally cloudy weather is likely with light rain/snow at isolated places.

From March 1–3, generally cloudy weather is expected with light rain/snow in higher reaches at isolated to scattered places and partly cloudy weather is expected from March 4–7.

The MeT Department has advised farmers to continue farm operations, as further rise in both minimum and maximum temperatures is likely at most places over the next six days.