Srinagar, Feb 03: The minimum temperature across the Kashmir Valley on Monday plunged several degrees below freezing point, with Pahalgam recording the coldest day at minus 12.5 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 11.5 degrees Celsius, the Met department said.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar city settled at minus 5.0 degrees Celsius, 4.3 degrees below the season’s average, it said.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Kupwara minus 6.3 degrees Celsius and Kokernag minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperature at most places in the Valley was above 5.0 degrees Celsius.
Cold wave conditions are likely to persist for the next few days in the region even as ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day harshest period of winter in Kashmir, ended on January 30.
The temperature continued to trend downward in the Ladakh region as well with Drass remaining the coldest place in the region recording minus 30 degrees Celsius, a Met official said.
Over the next week, the weather will be dry and cold over Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh while snowfall and rain are likely to occur at isolated places in both the union territories, the official said.
In Jammu, the temperature settled at 5.4 degrees Celsius, 3 notches below the season’s average, however, the morning sun provided relief to the residents.
Katra, which serves as the base camp for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district of Jammu region, recorded 5.1 degrees Celsius while Bhadarwah township of Doda district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.
