Mainly Dry Weather Expected Till May 23, Night Temp Falls Below Normal Across J&K
Srinagar, May 19: Weather department has forecast widespread rain in plains and “snowfall” over higher reaches from May 24-26. In between, a meteorological department official told GNS that weather will be “mainly dry” and “brief spell” of rain and thunderstorm towards afternoon and evening remains a possibility. “Weather is likely to be mainly clear. However, a brief spell of rain/thunderstorm at scattered places towards late afternoon/evening can’t be ruled out,” he said regarding forecast for next 24 hours. From May 20-23, he said, mainly dry was expected. However, he said, a brief spell of rain/thunderstorm at places towards late afternoon and evening can’t be ruled out “although chances are less”. From May 24-26, the official said that widespread rain and snow over higher reaches was “very likely”. He said some places may receive “heavy rain”. As regards the temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 9.2°C against 13.7°C on the previous night and it was 2.0°C below normal for the summer capital. Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 7.0°C against 11.0°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 3.2°C for the gateway town of Kashmir. Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 2.7°C against 7.4°C on the previous night and it was 3.2°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 6.7°C against 8.4°C on the previous night and it was 3.4°C below normal for the north Kashmir area. Kokernag recorded a low of 7.2°C against 11.2°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C below normal for the place, the officials said. Gulmarg recorded a low of 3.0°C against 4.6°C on previous night and it was below normal by 3.8°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said. Jammu recorded a low of 21.0°C against 24.0°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 10.1°C (below normal by 1.6°C), Batote 12.2°C (1.9°C below normal), Katra 18.2°C (2.7°C below normal) and Bhaderwah 8.4°C (below normal by 2.0°C). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of 2.6°C and 6.5°C respectively, he said.
