Srinagar, Nov 28: Kashmir recorded its coldest November night in 18 years on Friday as temperatures across the Valley and higher reaches dropped sharply, marking the most severe November-end chill since 2007.
According to the Meteorological Department (MeT)’s data, Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, matching the reading recorded on November 28, 2007.
It was the city’s lowest November temperature in nearly two decades.
The all-time record for November in Srinagar remains minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, set on November 29, 1934.
The intense cold has been attributed to a prolonged dry spell and clear skies that enhanced radiational cooling.
Much of the Valley stayed well below freezing.
Shopian was among the coldest locations at minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Baramulla at minus 5.9 degrees Celsius, Anantnag and Pulwama at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, Pampore at minus 6 degrees Celsius, and Pahalgam at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius.
Budgam and Kupwara each recorded minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, Bandipora minus 4.9 degrees Celsius, and Ganderbal minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara also recorded its coldest November temperature since 2007, when the station touched minus 5.5 degrees Celsius on November 29, its lowest November reading on record.
In south Kashmir, Qazigund posted minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, marking its lowest November temperature since 2007, when it recorded minus 5.5 degrees Celsius on November 28.
Its all-time November low remains minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, set on November 24, 1962.
Tourist destinations saw slightly milder conditions, with Gulmarg at minus 1.4 degrees Celsius and Kokernag at minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.
In north Kashmir, Zethan, Rafiabad, recorded minus 5.3 degrees Celsius.
The coldest temperature in the region was once again reported from the strategic Zojila Pass, which dipped to a severe minus 16 degrees Celsius, disrupting movement across the high-altitude corridor. Sonamarg settled at minus 3.8 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, most areas remained above freezing. Jammu city recorded 9.4 degrees Celsius, while Katra and Kathua both reported 8.2 degrees Celsius.
Higher-elevation areas saw sharper dips, including Bhaderwah at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, Rajouri at 1.4 degrees Celsius, Ramban at 3.2 degrees Celsius, Batote at 3.6 degrees Celsius, Udhampur at 3.6 degrees Celsius, Doda at 2.9 degrees Celsius, Kishtwar at 3.5 degrees Celsius, Reasi at 6.4 degrees Celsius, and Banihal at 3.6 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, the cold persisted with Kargil at -9.6 degrees Celsius, Leh at minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, and Nubra valley at minus 8.3 degrees Celsius.
Residents across Kashmir and Ladakh have already begun relying on heating appliances, and reports of frozen water pipes have surfaced from several areas.
The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather for the next week, with cloudy conditions likely on December 2 and 3, suggesting that cold nights will continue as winter tightens its grip on the region.
