Kashmir is bracing for rain and snowfall on New Year’s eve as a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to hit the region during the next 24 hours.

“On December 30, a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to impact the region, bringing light to moderate snowfall mainly across the Kashmir Valley. The weather activity is likely to intensify from afternoon hours and continue into the early hours of the next day. If precipitation persists overnight, there is around a 40 percent chance of light snowfall over some plain areas, though weather models do not strongly support widespread snow in plains,” an independent MeT forecaster said.
He said from December 31 to January 1, cloudy weather is expected to dominate Jammu and Kashmir, accompanied by light to moderate rain or snow at isolated places.
While the system is expected to remain weak and significant snow accumulation over plains is unlikely, a drop in temperatures may marginally improve snowfall chances, and light snow in a few plain areas cannot be ruled out. The situation, however, remains under close monitoring.
The MeT department official said on January 2, weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with light rain or snow over scattered places.
“From January 3 to January 8, the Valley is likely to experience partly cloudy conditions, while January 9 and 10 may see partly to generally cloudy weather again,” the MeT official said.
The MeT has issued an advisory urging travellers and transporters to strictly follow traffic and administrative advisories in view of possible snowfall and slippery road conditions.
Meanwhile, the minimum night temperatures remained significantly above normal.
The lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir was recorded at ski resort of Gulmarg at –2.0°C.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 3°C, up sharply from 0.8°C the previous night.
Qazigund also saw an increase as the mercury settled at 1.4°C, compared to 0.0°C a night earlier.
The hill resort of Pahalgam recorded a low of 0.4°C, a significant rise from –1.9°C on the previous night, while Kupwara in north Kashmir saw temperatures climb to 1.8°C from 0.2°C.
Pulwama registered –0.5°C, and Shopian recorded 0.2°C, indicating a general upward trend across south Kashmir as well.
The Met official said rise in night temperatures is typical ahead of an approaching Western Disturbance.