The Valley continues to be in the grip of cold wave conditions with the night temperature staying many degrees below freezing point while Meteorological department on Wednesday forecasted light snowfall over the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours.
A MeT official said night temperature in Srinagar settled at a low of -4.8°C as against -4.2°C recorded during the previous ight.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded at a low of -8.4°C as against -7.8°C during the previous night.
The ski resort of Gulmarg dropped to a low of -7.4°C on Wednesday.
The border district of Kupwara settled at -4.7°C while Kokernag in south Kashmir plunged to -4.6°C.
In Qazigund, the night temperature settled at -5-4°C as against -5.6°C during the previousnight.
According to MeT official, light snowfall is likely to occur at isolated higher reaches tonight and early morning on January 16.
“Another spell of light snowfall is expected at isolated to scattered locations on January 20 and 21,” he said.
The MeT has also predicted light rain in the plains of Jammu and snowfall at scattered to fairly widespread locations in the Valley on January 22.
Independent weather analyst, Faizan Arif, said owing to an approaching Western Disturbance, there is a possibility of rain/snow showers in some parts of J&K.
“Rain/snow showers are possible in parts of Doda and Kishtwar districts, particularly. Light to moderate snowfall is also possible over Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and other higher reaches of Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian districts,” he said.
The WD may also bring rain/snow showers to a few plains of J&K. Snow showers are also possible over the Kargil-Drass axis, he added.
Kashmir is currently in the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the harshest period of winter.
During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, which began on December 21, the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.
‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 31 and it would be followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).