Srinagar, Dec 22: After a brief spell of snow and rain across higher reaches and plains, bright, clear, and cold days are ahead for Kashmir, the Department of Meteorology (MeT) said on Monday.
Chillai Kalan brought along glad tidings, ending the prolonged dry spell, bringing respite in pollution and snowfall to relish.
The major effect of Western Disturbances (WD) that hit Kashmir from December 20 onwards has ended.
“We are not expecting more snow or rain from this Western Disturbance now, its effect is over,” Director MeT, Kashmir, Mukhtar Ahmad said.
He said the weather is expected to be clear from Tuesday onwards, the minimal cloud cover, bringing bright sunshine to the Valley.
Ahmad said parts in higher reaches may have some clouds, but the weather would remain “essentially dry for the week, up to December 28.”
“On December 28, a weak Western Disturbance is likely to hit Kashmir again, bringing some precipitation in the form of rain and snow,” he said.
Ahmad said no major weather event is predicted for the week ahead.
Chillai Kalan, the traditionally significant 40-day period of core winter that began on December 21, ended months of dry spell in Kashmir with rain and snow in most parts here.
The MeT said the precipitation was “more than expected”. The Zojila-Sonmarg stretch received around 10 inches of snow, while the Razdan Pass had about 8 inches of snow accumulation.
In the Gurez-Tulail areas, around 9 inches of snowfall were received, while in north Kashmir’s Machil area, 8 inches of snow were recorded.
Poonch received rainfall heavier than other areas, recording 54 mm, while Srinagar and Budgam areas had rainfall of 14-15 mm.
The precipitation cleared the particulate suspended in the air of most districts, bringing an end to smog engulfed days and nights.
Central parts of Kashmir and many areas in north and south Kashmir had been covered by thick layers of smoke and particulate-filled fog, bringing down visibility and air quality. With the air cleared of smog and cloud cover thinning down, Kashmir looks ahead at brighter, clearer skies.
“It is going to be a pleasant week in terms of visibility,” Ahmad said.
Snowfall in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam has brought about cheer to locals and tourists. Tourism activities in winter are mainly centered on snowfall events.
Many tourists from Kashmir, as well as other parts of the country, have been seen rejoicing in the freshly covered slopes. Snowfall around Christmas and New Year has traditionally been the kick-starter of winter tourism activities in these popular destinations.
Clear weather is also set to bring a drop in minimum and maximum temperatures across Kashmir, the MeT said.
