The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir is set to end as the Meteorological Department forecasts snowfall and rain ahead of Chille Kalan. The weather will shift significantly from December 18 to 19 with conditions expected to be partly to generally cloudy, bringing the likelihood of very light snowfall in isolated higher reaches.
An official from the Meteorological Department (MeT) stated, “A more active western disturbance is likely to impact the region from late night on December 20 to 21. Light to moderate snowfall is predicted over higher reaches of the Kashmir division, along with light to moderate rain in many low-lying areas.”
Following the snowfall prediction, December 22 will see cloudy weather with light rain or snowfall anticipated in scattered places. The weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy from December 23 to 29, culminating the month with hopes of light snowfall at isolated higher reaches on December 30 and 31.
Snowfall Advisory Issued
The MeT Department has issued a snowfall advisory warning that regions in the higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts may experience moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly on December 21. The department advised, “Travellers and transporters should plan their journeys with caution and adhere to traffic and administrative advisories.”
Temperatures throughout Jammu and Kashmir have remained above normal across several locations. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 10.6°C, which is about 1.2°C above the average, with a minimum settling at 0.2°C. Meanwhile, Gulmarg experienced a maximum of 8.8°C, nearly 4°C above normal, with a minimum of 1.6°C.
Northern regions like Kupwara recorded a maximum temperature of 10.8°C and a minimum of -1.0°C. Pahalgam measured maximums of 11.2°C and minimums of 0.4°C. In Qazigund, the figures registered as 13.0°C for maximum and 0.8°C for minimum.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city marked a maximum temperature of 22.3°C and a minimum of 11.0°C. The MeT Department confirmed that no rainfall was recorded at any station in the past 24 hours, emphasizing the prolonged dry conditions.
