Kashmir turns colder

Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 13
Rain swept parts of Kashmir, and snowfall was reported in higher reaches on Tuesday as a fresh Western Disturbance brought a sharp change in weather, with the Meteorological Department forecasting further precipitation through October 15.
Rain began in parts of north Kashmir late in the afternoon before spreading to central areas. The department said rainfall was expected to intensify in south Kashmir.
Light snowfall was reported at Afarwat in Gulmarg, Razdan Pass, Tulail in Gurez, Sadhna Top in Kupwara and areas around Sonamarg, including Zojila Pass. Snow was also reported at Sinthan Top, Margan Top and Pir Ki Gali, as well as parts of the Pir Panjal range.
The weather shift followed a relatively warm start to October and brought lower daytime temperatures across Kashmir, the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal region.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius on Monday, 2.8 degrees below normal and its lowest daytime reading of the month so far.
Pahalgam recorded 14.2 degrees Celsius, 5.4 degrees below normal, while Gulmarg registered 11.8 degrees, 1.9 degrees below normal. Kupwara recorded 20.4 degrees, 3.4 degrees below normal.
Qazigund’s maximum stood at 22.2 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded 20.4 degrees.
Cloud cover kept night temperatures relatively high. Srinagar recorded a minimum of 11.2 degrees Celsius, 4.9 degrees above normal. Minimum temperatures were 9.4 degrees in Qazigund, 10.4 degrees in Kokernag, 8.6 degrees in Kupwara, 6.8 degrees in Pahalgam and 5.4 degrees in Gulmarg.
Jammu city recorded a maximum of 30.5 degrees Celsius. Temperatures were 19.5 degrees in Banihal, 22.1 in Batote, 26.6 in Katra and 21 in Bhaderwah, all below normal.
The Meteorological Department forecast light to moderate rainfall across Kashmir from October 13 to 15, with isolated areas likely to receive heavy rain on October 14 and 15. Higher reaches could receive further snowfall, particularly in Gulmarg, Gurez and the Pir Panjal range.
The department said there was no indication of very heavy snowfall. Minimum temperatures were expected to remain near current levels during the wet spell, while maximum temperatures could fall by another one to two degrees Celsius.
Mostly dry weather was forecast after October 15, with minimum temperatures likely to decline again and daytime temperatures potentially recovering slightly.
The department advised farmers to exercise caution during the wet spell, particularly while harvesting paddy.
“After that, they can resume their work properly,” a department official said.
It said the forecast did not indicate conditions likely to cause major road disruptions or landslides, while advising travellers to wear adequate warm clothing.
Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway received the season’s first snowfall, with fresh snow accumulating around the 11,575-foot-high pass. Traffic continued normally, while tourists at the nearby Zero Point were seen enjoying the snowfall.