Srinagar, March 18: A few areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, while rain lashed most parts of the Valley on Wednesday, leading to a steep drop in day temperature.
Reports of fresh snowfall were received from Pir Ki Gali along the Mughal Road in Shopian district, and from Sonamarg, even as most mountains in the Valley remained covered by layers of snow.
The higher reaches of the Valley have been receiving intermittent snow since Sunday.
The plains, including Srinagar, were lashed by rain, which continued till the last reports came in on Wednesday, the officials said.
Moderate to widespread rainfall today led to a sharp dip in day temperatures, with Srinagar recording 8.4°C—over 7 degrees below normal, a MeT official said.
The chill marks a stark contrast to conditions just two weeks ago, when the city witnessed unusually high daytime temperatures nearing 25°C, around 11.7°C above normal. The famous resort of Gulmarg had also recorded an unprecedented 17.2°C in the first week of March, close to its all-time high of 18°C.
The weather reversal caught the residents off guard, forcing them to pull out winter clothing again.
According to Meteorological data, the maximum temperatures remained significantly below normal across most parts of the valley.
Gulmarg recorded a day temperature of just 1.0°C, while Qazigund and Kupwara settled at 9.2°C each. Pahalgam recorded 7.6°C, nearly 5 degrees below the seasonal average.
Rainfall was widespread, with Pahalgam receiving 5.4 mm and Srinagar 5.0 mm between morning and evening hours.
Gulmarg recorded the highest precipitation at 11.6 mm, accompanied by snowfall in the higher reaches.
Meanwhile, night temperatures across Kashmir remained above normal by 1–3°C at several places.
In the Jammu division, minimum temperatures hovered around normal levels, staying 0–1°C above average, officials said.
Gulmarg was the coldest place in Kashmir, with mercury dipping to minus 1.4°C, while Bhaderwah recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the Jammu division at 4.0°C.
The Meteorological Department has forecast that the erratic weather conditions will persist across Kashmir till Friday, with generally cloudy skies and intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall at many places.
The upper reaches, particularly in the Chenab Valley and parts of south Kashmir, may receive moderate to heavy snowfall during this period, the MeT predicted.
According to MeT, weather is expected to improve from March 21 to 25, with generally dry weather likely to prevail across the region.