Srinagar, Mar 11: Rain in the plains and fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir on Wednesday ended a prolonged spell of unusual warmth, with temperatures dropping below normal at several weather stations for the first time since February and the early days of March.
Several parts of the Valley witnessed light to moderate rainfall, while higher reaches in north and central Kashmir received fresh snowfall.
According to meteorological officials, the higher reaches of Kupwara and Bandipora districts, along with central Kashmir areas including Razdan Pass, Sadhna Top, Pharkian Gali, Z-Gali, Tulail Valley, Keran, Sonamarg and Zojila, received about 4 to 6 inches of snowfall.
Traffic on some of these routes was temporarily suspended as authorities initiated snow-clearance operations.
In the Ladakh region, higher areas of Leh, Kargil, Nubra Valley and Drass also experienced moderate snowfall.
Across the plains of Kashmir, including Srinagar, light to moderate rainfall was recorded, with the impact more pronounced in north and central Kashmir than in the southern districts.
Tourist resorts Gulmarg and Pahalgam also received rainfall, while light snowfall was reported in the evening from Mughal Road, Sinthan Top, Margan Top, and the twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan.
Srinagar recorded 2.8 mm of rainfall, with the maximum temperature settling at 12.2°C, which is 2.2°C below normal.
Pahalgam received 2.7 mm of rainfall and recorded a maximum temperature of 9°C, 2.4°C below normal. Gulmarg received 6.4 mm of precipitation and recorded a temperature of 5.4°C, about 0.8°C above normal.
Kupwara recorded 11.2 mm of rainfall, with the maximum temperature settling at 10.2°C, which is 4.3°C below normal.
However, temperatures in south Kashmir remained relatively higher despite the dip. Kokernag recorded a maximum temperature of 19.4°C and Qazigund 19.6°C, which were still 6.8°C and 4.7°C above normal, respectively.
The rainfall and snowfall brought relief after an extended spell of unusually warm weather across the region. During February and the first ten days of March, Kashmir witnessed temperatures significantly above seasonal averages.
In several places, including Srinagar and hill stations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, temperatures had risen 9°C to 13°C above normal. Although occasional precipitation occurred in higher reaches during this period, the warm conditions largely persisted.
The Meteorological Department had earlier issued an advisory for farmers, urging them to suspend agricultural activities and spraying on March 10 and 11 due to the prevailing weather conditions.
Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 kmph were also reported in several areas.
Officials said that after the current spell of rain and snowfall, the region is likely to witness a dry spell from March 12 to March 14. Another feeble western disturbance is expected to affect the region thereafter.
