Srinagar, Dec 17: Kashmir is set to welcome Chillai Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, with a Western Disturbance expected to end the prolonged dry spell and bring snowfall and rain to the region around December 21-22, Meteorological Department (MeT) officials said on Wednesday.
“The next Western Disturbance is likely to impact J&K around December 21 and 22, bringing much-needed precipitation,” a MeT official said. “This will mark the beginning of Chillai Kalan, the coldest period of winter.”
The 40-day Chillai Kalan period, traditionally the coldest and snowiest stretch of winter, begins this weekend and continues until January 29.
Officials said the approaching weather system is likely to cause moderate to heavy snowfall in higher reaches and light to moderate snowfall or rain across the plains of J&K, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures.
Noted meteorologist Sonam Lotus said the spell could significantly disrupt transportation and daily life. “Heavy snowfall is expected between the night of December 20 and the morning of December 22,” Lotus said. “Major high-altitude passes like Zojila, Razdan, Sadhna, Margan, and Sinthan are likely to be severely affected.”
He warned that traffic movement on key routes could be disrupted.
“Zojila, Shinkula, Changla, Khardongla, and Razdan Top may witness traffic disruptions, and flight operations from Srinagar are also likely to be affected during this period,” Lotus said.
Kashmir has already been experiencing intense cold, with most areas recording sub-zero night temperatures.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund settled at minus 3 degrees Celsius and Kupwara at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius.
Pampore recorded minus 4 degrees Celsius, while Pulwama and Shopian each registered minus 4.4 degrees Celsius.
Anantnag recorded a low of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, making these areas among the coldest places in Kashmir overnight.
In north Kashmir, Baramulla recorded a minimum of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius and Bandipora minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, while Ganderbal settled at minus 1.4 degrees Celsius.
Tourist resort Pahalgam recorded minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, while ski resort Gulmarg, due to persistent cloud cover, was relatively warmer at 1.6 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar airport recorded a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, while Awantipora settled at minus 3.2 degrees.
The Zojila Pass recorded an extreme low of minus 16 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, night temperatures remained significantly higher.
Jammu city recorded a minimum of 9 degrees Celsius, while Katra settled at 11.1 degrees Celsius.
Batote and Kishtwar recorded 7.6 degrees Celsius each, Kathua 8.2 degrees Celsius, while Banihal, Bhaderwah, and Udhampur recorded lows ranging between 3 and 4 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.3 degrees Celsius, Kargil minus 5.8 degrees Celsius and the Nubra Valley minus 5 degrees Celsius.
Director of the Meteorological Department for Kashmir, Mukhtar Ahmad, said weather conditions are expected to remain unstable over the coming days.
“Weather will remain partly to generally cloudy till December 19, with the possibility of very light snowfall over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir,” Ahmad said.
He said that snowfall activity would intensify thereafter.
“Light to moderate snowfall is expected over higher reaches from late night on December 20 through December 21, while light rain is likely at many places in the plains,” Ahmad said.
The MeT has also warned of reduced visibility.
“Shallow to moderate fog is likely to persist at many places in the Kashmir division and isolated areas of the Jammu division,” Ahmad said.
Authorities have advised commuters and transporters to remain cautious.
“Snowfall combined with sub-freezing temperatures may lead to slippery road conditions, especially over higher passes, and people are advised to follow traffic and administrative advisories,” officials said.
