Kashmir is bracing for moderate to heavy snowfall from Saturday.
The plains of north and central Kashmir recorded light snowfall while heavy snowfall was recorded in higher reaches of Ganderbal, Kupwara, and Bandipora, Sinthan Top, Peer Ki Gali, and other adjacent ranges during the past 24 hours.
A MeT official said the Western Disturbance (WD) is likely to bring light to moderate rainfall in the plains of Jammu and widespread snowfall across most areas of the Kashmir region.
“The peak activity is anticipated between the night of January 4 and the early hours of January 6,” he said.
The official said weather conditions are expected to improve gradually hereafter till January 10.
“The weather is likely to remain cloudy today with the chances of light snow at isolated higher reaches. Another spell of light snowfall is likely to occur in the isolated places during January 11 and 12,” he said.
The MeT office has also issued an advisory stating that in view of snowfall, sub-freezing temperatures, and icy conditions over roads, including plains/higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, tourists/travellers/transporters are advised to follow the admin/traffic advisory.
There was significant improvement in cold weather conditions in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley as the minimum temperature improved but stayed below freezing point all across on Friday.
Meanwhile, dense fog engulfed large parts of Kashmir today, affecting flight operations at Srinagar airport as visibility fell to about 300 metres.
“The thick layer of fog that engulfed Kashmir hit air traffic to and from the valley. Several flights were delayed while one was diverted as the visibility fell to about 300 metres,” an official said.
The visibility required to run flight operations is around 1,100 metres.
“The operations resumed around noon after visibility improved at the airport. The morning’s first flight landed in Srinagar at 11:48 am,” the officials said.
Due to fog, people faced difficulties while commuting in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the harshest period of winter — that began on December 21. During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.
‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 31. It is followed by a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd (small cold)’ and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha (baby cold)’.