Srinagar: The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast light to moderate snowfall across Jammu & Kashmir from Tuesday, with higher reaches expected to receive fresh snow till January 1.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather is likely to remain generally cloudy on December 30, with the possibility of light rain or snowfall at several places toward evening. From December 31 to January 1, light rain or snow is expected at most places, while some higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir may receive moderate snowfall.
The IMD said snowfall activity is likely to be more intense along the Zojila–Drass axis and over the Siachen area. Light to moderate snowfall is also expected in parts of Kargil, Zanskar and the higher reaches of Leh district. Snow accumulation of up to 10 inches is possible at Zojila during this period.
Officials said snowfall had already begun in higher reaches, including Razdan Top and Zojila, and was continuing at the time of filing this report.
Despite the forecast, tourists have arrived in large numbers at winter destinations across Kashmir to celebrate the New Year. The region had witnessed little snowfall during the same period last year.
MeT has issued an advisory warning of possible temporary disruption of surface transport over Zojila Pass on December 31 due to heavy snowfall. Authorities have also cautioned that flight cancellations are likely between December 31 and January 1, depending on weather conditions.
Weather conditions are expected to improve from the afternoon of January 1, with no major weather activity forecast till January 12.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures across the Kashmir Valley remained below normal. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 5.2 degrees Celsius and minus 5.9 degrees Celsius, respectively. Day temperatures, however, stayed above normal at most places.
Authorities have advised commuters, tourists and transport operators to closely monitor weather advisories, particularly while travelling along high-altitude passes connecting Kashmir with Ladakh. Departments have been asked to remain alert and prepared for weather-related disruptions.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif of Kashmir Weather said a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir from December 30, bringing light to moderate snowfall mainly over the Kashmir Valley. He said snowfall activity may peak between the afternoon of December 30 and the morning of December 31, with a slight chance of snowfall over the plains if precipitation continues overnight.
He added that dry weather is likely to return from January 2 to January 5.
Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari roads remain closed due to fresh snow accumulation.
