Srinagar, Dec 2: Nighttime temperatures across the Kashmir Valley have shown slight improvement, though they continue to stay below freezing point. This comes as a weak Western Disturbance (WD) is expected to bring light rain and snowfall to Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days, according to the Meteorological Department (MeT).
The MeT predicts that the weak WD will impact the region from late Monday evening through Tuesday morning, causing light rain and snow in higher altitudes and scattered areas. Dry weather conditions are forecast to return from Tuesday afternoon, persisting until December 7.
Another wet spell is expected on December 8, which could bring light rain and snow to higher reaches and isolated locations. Dry weather is likely to follow until December 12.
Despite the cold wave, temperatures have improved slightly but remain below the seasonal average. Gulmarg recorded the lowest temperature in the region at minus 2.9°C, while Pahalgam registered minus 2.3°C on Monday.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature rose to minus 0.8°C, which is 0.4°C above normal for early December. However, fog enveloped the city and surrounding areas, including Dal Lake, causing disruptions to daily life.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.4°C, a marginal improvement from the previous day’s minus 1.8°C. Pahalgam’s temperature also dropped to minus 2.3°C from minus 0.3°C, staying 1.0°C above average for this time of year.
Gulmarg, the renowned ski resort, recorded minus 2.9°C, slightly lower than the previous night’s minus 2.6°C, but still 0.2°C above normal. Kokernag registered 0.2°C, marginally lower than the previous night’s 0.4°C, and 0.8°C above the norm.
Kupwara’s temperature dipped to minus 0.6°C, slightly down from minus 0.5°C the previous night, though it remained 1.1°C above average for this period.
The Valley braces for the expected weather changes, while the slight temperature improvements provide temporary relief from the harsh winter conditions.