Ladakh Freezes at –9.9°C as Sub-Zero Cold Grips Kashmir | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Ladakh continued to reel under extreme cold conditions, emerging as the coldest region, while the Kashmir Valley recorded widespread sub-zero temperatures and the Jammu region experienced comparatively milder winter conditions.

According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Drass recorded the lowest minimum temperature at minus 9.9 degrees Celsius. Other parts of Ladakh also witnessed severe cold, with Hanle at minus 8.0 degrees, Leh at minus 7.0 degrees, Nyoma at minus 5.6 degrees and Kargil at minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, keeping most areas of the cold desert well below the freezing point.

The Kashmir Valley remained under the grip of a cold wave, with all major weather stations reporting temperatures below zero. Gulmarg and Beerwah Budgam were the coldest locations in the Valley at minus 4.2 degrees Celsius. Zethan Rafiabad and Sopore recorded minus 3.6 degrees each, while Srinagar settled at minus 3.2 degrees. Qazigund recorded minus 3.4 degrees, and other areas including Pahalgam, Kupwara, Kokernag and Aloosa Bandipora also remained in sub-zero territory.

In contrast, the Jammu region witnessed relatively warmer conditions. Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Katra and Kishtwar registered 7.4 degrees and 7.5 degrees respectively. Banihal recorded 0.6 degrees and Bhaderwah 1.5 degrees Celsius. Rajouri was the only station in the region to dip below freezing, recording minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, weather conditions across the plains of Jammu and Kashmir remained largely dry, with no major disturbance reported during the ongoing 40-day harsh winter period known as Chillai Kalan, which began on December 21.

A weak western disturbance affected the Union Territory on Friday, bringing light rain and snowfall to a few parts of Kashmir. Gulmarg received about one centimetre of fresh snowfall, while Doothpathri and Sonamarg witnessed light snow.

Meteorologists said the snowfall was mainly confined to higher reaches, while lower areas of the Kashmir Valley remained cloudy and cold. Night temperatures are expected to dip further in snow-covered areas.