Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 26
Night temperatures in Kashmir have begun to fall below freezing at some locations, with Shopian, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg recording the season’s first sub-zero readings as winter approaches.
Shopian recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, the lowest in the Valley, while Pahalgam registered 0.2 degrees Celsius and Sonamarg 0.5 degrees Celsius, according to the source report.
Gulmarg recorded a minimum of 0.6 degrees Celsius.
The readings were higher than those recorded the previous night, when Pahalgam fell to minus 0.3 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg to minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.
Several other stations recorded temperatures close to freezing.
Pulwama registered 0.6 degrees Celsius, Awantipora 1 degree Celsius, and Srinagar Airport 1.8 degrees Celsius.
Budgam recorded 2 degrees Celsius, while Konibal in Pampore registered 2.1 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund and Kupwara recorded minimums of 2.6 degrees Celsius and 2.8 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar and Bandipora each recorded 3.3 degrees Celsius, while Baramulla registered 4.2 degrees Celsius and Kokernag 4.6 degrees Celsius.
Minimum temperatures at most stations are likely to approach or fall below zero by November, a Meteorological Centre official said.
Temperatures are expected to fall further as winter sets in during December.
The cooling trend has also spread to the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal districts of Jammu division, including Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, and Poonch.
Bhaderwah recorded a minimum temperature of 4.2 degrees Celsius, Banihal 6 degrees Celsius, and Rajouri 7.6 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures in the areas remained slightly above 20 degrees Celsius.
Jammu city recorded a minimum of 14.4 degrees Celsius, compared with 15.2 degrees Celsius in Kathua and 16.3 degrees Celsius at Jammu Airport. Kishtwar registered 7.9 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.1 degrees Celsius.
Despite the colder nights, maximum temperatures across Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh on Monday remained close to normal or slightly above normal.
The Meteorological Department forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir until October 31.
Generally cloudy conditions are expected from November 1 to 3, with isolated light rain in the plains and light snowfall over higher reaches possible, the department said.
