Parts of Kashmir’s higher altitudes experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday, while the majority of the Valley’s plains were subjected to rainfall, according to official sources. This has resulted in a noticeable dip in temperatures.
Fresh snow was reported from Pir Ki Gali on the Mughal Road in Shopian district and from the tourist resort of Sonamarg. Many of the Valley’s mountain peaks remain blanketed with existing snow cover. This follows a pattern of intermittent snowfall in the upper reaches since Sunday.
The plains, including the summer capital Srinagar, witnessed continuous rainfall throughout the day on Wednesday.
The inclement weather has led to a decline in temperatures across the region. Officials reported that Srinagar’s maximum temperature settled at 14.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, which is more than one degree below the seasonal average. Similar below-normal maximum temperatures were recorded at other weather stations throughout the Valley.
Over the past few days, the region has experienced cooler days and warmer nights, a trend attributed to the persistent cloud cover. This drop in daytime temperatures marks a shift from the unusually high heat that had been prevalent in Kashmir over the preceding weeks.
The meteorological department has predicted continued unsettled weather until March 20, with a likelihood of scattered, intermittent light to moderate rain or snow. Higher altitude areas in the Chenab Valley and south Kashmir could receive moderate to heavy snowfall.
Looking ahead, the weather office has forecast another period of wet weather from March 26 to 28, likely bringing light rain or snow to isolated spots in the upper reaches.
For the immediate period until March 20, the MeT office has warned of possible thunder and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph at certain places, along with the potential for isolated hailstorms. Consequently, farmers have been advised to halt all agricultural operations until March 20.
