After a long dry spell, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to receive rain and snow from January 25-27.
A MeT official said while dry weather was likely to continue till January 24, rain and snow is likely to occur at few places in Jammu and Kashmir from January 25-27.
“There is also a possibility of light rain and snow at scattered places of J&K on January 28-30,” he said.
The official said Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius as against minus 4.6 degrees Celsius during the previous night.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius while Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 1.1 degrees Celsius as against minus 2.3 degrees Celsius during the previous night.
The Pahalgam health resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius as against minus 5.4 degrees Celsius during the previous night.
The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius as against minus 3.1 degrees Celsius during the previous night.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is under ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter, during which there is maximum possibility of snowfall.
Kashmir is going through a prolonged dry spell and a 79-per cent deficit in rainfall was recorded for December, while there has been no precipitation in most parts of the valley in the first fortnight of January.
There has been no snowfall in most of the plain areas of Kashmir, while the upper reaches of the valley have received lesser-than-usual amount of snow.
A dry and largely snowless winter in Kashmir has resulted in freezing nights and warmer-than-usual days as the day temperatures in Srinagar are more than eight notches above normal for this time of the year, the official said.
The Chilai Kalan will be followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).