Srinagar: The minimum temperature dropped in Kashmir on Thursday, with the Meteorological Department forecasting mainly dry weather until the end of the month — the remaining part of the 40-day harshest winter period known as Chillai-Kalan, officials said.
Barring Gulmarg, the night temperature decreased across all weather stations in the Kashmir valley.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, down from the previous night’s 0.6 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, down from minus 4.2 degrees Celsius the night before, while the tourist resort town of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 7.5 degrees Celsius, a degree higher than the previous night.
The minimum temperature was minus 2.6 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, minus 4 degrees Celsius at Konibal in Pampore town, minus 2.2 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and minus 1.6 degrees Celsius in Kokernag.
Kashmir is currently experiencing ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest period of winter. During the 40 days of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ which began on December 21, snowfall is most likely and the mercury drops considerably.
The meteorological department has forecast mainly dry weather for the remaining part of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ with cloudy but dry conditions likely to persist until January 29.
However, it said there is a possibility of light rain/snow at isolated places on January 30-31.
