*Snowfall in Upper Reaches, Cloudy Skies in Plains Ease Night Chill Slightly*
Srinagar, Dec 14 (JKNS): Fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, along with persistent cloud cover over the plains, resulted in a slight rise in night temperatures across parts of the region, though cold conditions continued to prevail.
According to reports received by news agency JKNS, fresh snow was recorded at several high-altitude areas, including Zojila Pass, Minamarg, Baltal, and the Tulail Valley. The snowfall brought brief relief from the ongoing cold wave in these areas.
Data compiled by independent weather channel Kashmir Weather showed that snow accumulation ranged between 1 centimetre and nearly 3 inches at different locations.
Following the snowfall in the upper reaches, minimum temperatures registered marginal improvement in several areas of the Valley, while cloud cover persisted across the plains.
In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 2.0°C, Qazigund 0.8°C, Pahalgam 2.4°C, Kupwara 1.2°C, Kokernag 0.8°C, Gulmarg 1.4°C, and Pampore 1.0°C. Srinagar Airport logged 0.6°C, while Awantipora recorded –0.2°C. Budgam stood at 1.2°C, Anantnag 0.8°C, Baramulla 1.4°C, Bandipora 1.3°C, Shopian 0.1°C, Kulgam 2.1°C, Ganderbal 1.0°C, and Sonamarg 0.4°C. Pulwama emerged as the coldest place in the Valley at –2.7°C. Temperature data for Zojila Pass was unavailable, while the Zethan Rafiabad station remained non-functional.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 11.4°C, Banihal 5.5°C, Batote 7.9°C, Katra 11.2°C, Bhaderwah 4.7°C, Kathua 8.8°C, and Jammu Airport 11.3°C. Udhampur recorded 7.5°C, Ramban 8.8°C, Samba 7.4°C, Rajouri 6.0°C, Kishtwar 7.6°C, Reasi 10.0°C, and Doda 8.3°C.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of –5.0°C, Kargil –4.6°C, and Nubra Valley –1.8°C.
Weather observers said the combination of fresh snowfall in the higher reaches and cloud cover over the plains helped limit further temperature drop during the night, even as winter conditions remained dominant across Jammu and Kashmir. (JKNS)
