Srinagar: Amid the forecast for widespread light to moderate snowfall and rain during the next 24 hours, the minimum temperature increased above normal in Jammu and Kashmir.
A meteorological department official told GNS that it has already started to rain and snow in north Kashmir including Kupwara and Gulmarg.
“Widespread light to moderate snowfall/rain is expected in Jammu and Kashmir with chances of heavy snowfall over higher reaches today,” he said, adding, “Cloudy weather with light rain/snow at scattered places of J&K was expected on Friday.” Thereafter, he said, mainly dry weather was expected for one week.
The weather department also urged people living in avalanche-prone areas to “stay alert and away” from the vulnerable areas.
“People should travel after confirming the road status, especially over higher reaches and Srinagar-Jammu highway after confirming road status from concerned traffic police.”
Meanwhile, he said, Srinagar recorded an increase in temperature, recording a low of 0.4°C against minus 0.1°C on the previous night. Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was above normal by 1.2°C for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 0.8°C against minus 1.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 2.4°C against minus 7.6°C on the previous night and it was 3.8°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against minus 0.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 4.2°C against minus 6.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.5°C above normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 2.3°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night and it was 4.3°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 9.9°C against 8.3°C on the previous night. It was 0.4°C above normal for JK’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 2.6°C (above normal by 1.6°C). Batote 5.7°C (below normal by 3.5°C), Katra 9.1°C (1.7°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 3.7°C (4.0°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 10.0°C and minus 15.0°C respectively, the official said.
