Srinagar, Jan 31: Night temperatures across Kashmir remained below the freezing point, though most areas recorded a slight rise, officials said, as Saturday marked the beginning of ‘Chillai Khurd’ and the end of the harshest winter phase.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain or snowfall, particularly in the higher reaches.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature settled at minus 0.1 degrees Celsius on Friday night, down from 1.3 degrees Celsius the previous night, but still 0.5 degrees above the seasonal average.
Temperature data for some areas, including Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, was unavailable. However, the ski resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district emerged as the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir, recording a low of minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 10.6 degrees Celsius a night earlier.
Officials said the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir registered a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.3 degrees Celsius the previous night.
In Qazigund, the mercury dipped to minus 2.2 degrees Celsius compared to minus 0.3 degrees earlier, while Kokernag and Kupwara recorded minimum temperatures of minus 3.0 degrees and minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The 20-day ‘Chillai Khurd’ (small cold) began on Saturday following the conclusion of the 40-day ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the harshest winter period. It will be followed by the 10-day ‘Chillai Bachha’ (baby cold).
The weather department said conditions are likely to remain cloudy, with the possibility of light to moderate rain or snowfall, especially in higher reaches, accompanied by thunder or gusty winds at many places on Saturday and Sunday.
Light rain, along with snowfall in the higher reaches, is also likely at scattered to many places on February 2 and 3, officials added. (Agencies)
