Srinagar, Feb 1: Despite a slight improvement in night temperatures, several parts of Kashmir received fresh light snowfall on Sunday, with meteorologists forecasting another bout of unstable weather with intermittent rain and snow over the coming days.
Srinagar received early morning rain, while light snowfall was reported from south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam districts. Residents of Pahalgam said snowfall began around 11 AM and lasted 20–25 minutes, resulting in accumulations of an inch or more.
Both plains and higher reaches of Shopian witnessed light snowfall, with residents reporting fresh accumulations of one to two inches. The area had received three to four feet of snow last month. Light snowfall was also reported from Kulgam’s Qazigund area.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar rose to 2°C on Saturday night from minus 0.1°C the previous night, standing 2.6 degrees above the seasonal average. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 0.4°C, while Kokernag settled at 0°C.
Ski resort Gulmarg emerged as the coldest place in Kashmir, recording a minimum of -7 °C. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.4°C.
Weather officials said a fresh spell of unstable conditions is likely over the next several days, with cloud cover and intermittent light rain or snowfall, mainly in higher reaches. Light precipitation accompanied by gusty winds and isolated thunderstorms is expected on February 1, while scattered to widespread light rain or snow may occur on February 3.
The weather is expected to remain partly cloudy from February 4 to 6, followed by another brief spell of cloudiness with light precipitation at isolated places on February 7. Dry conditions are forecast from February 8 to 10.
Authorities have advised travellers to check road conditions before journeys, urged farmers to suspend agricultural activities for the next seven days, and cautioned residents of snowbound areas against venturing into avalanche-prone zones.
