As the Valley is reeling under sub-zero night temperatures, the cold wave conditions are set to intensify across Jammu and Kashmir.
A MeT official said Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of –1.6°C, marking an increase from the preceding night’s –4.0°C.
The tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of –7.2°C while night temperature in the ski resort of Gulmarg settled at –7.6°C, showing a modest improvement from –8.6°C the previous night.
Sonamarg health resort in Ganderbal district was the coldest among the major resorts, with the minimum temperature plunging to a piercing –10.1°C.
Kupwara recorded –3.6°C against –3.1°C earlier.
In south Kashmir, Pulwama recorded –5.1°C as against –5.4°C the preceding night, while Shopian registered –4.3°C, rising noticeably from –6.0°C earlier.
In Jammu Bhaderwah emerged as the coldest place with a low of –2.6°C.
In Ladakh, the cold tightened its grip further. Drass — often described as the second-coldest inhabited place in the world — recorded –22.8°C, while Nyoma dipped to –20.2°C. Leh settled at –13.4°C, Kargil at –11.6°C, and Padum at –16.8°C.
A MeT official said the cold wave is likely to intensify in Kashmir during the next four days.
“The minimum temperatures in Kashmir plains are expected to range between –4°C and –9°C while higher reaches may experience temperatures between –6°C and –13°C,” he said.
According to the MeT forecast, the weather will remain partly cloudy from January 7 to 15 across the Union Territory.
However, January 16 and 17 may see generally cloudy conditions with light rain or snowfall at isolated places in the Kashmir division.
“The weather is expected to turn partly to generally cloudy on January 18 and 19, while January 20 may witness generally cloudy skies with light snowfall at isolated higher reaches of the Kashmir region. Thereafter, January 21 and 22 are likely to remain partly cloudy,” a MeT official said.
No significant weather activity is anticipated till January 22.
The MeT cautioned that moderate fog is likely to prevail over the plains of Jammu division, with dense fog at isolated places, a condition expected to continue for the next five days.
People, especially commuters and travelers, have been advised to remain cautious during early morning and late evening hours due to reduced visibility.