Skiing in Gulmarg, snow-covered trails in Sonamarg: The chilliest spots in Kashmir becoming the top winter getaways
As the cold wave continues to grip Kashmir, the region has witnessed continued snowfall, marking the peak of winter weather conditions. On Friday, fresh snowfall was recorded in many areas, including the season's first in
As the cold wave continues to grip Kashmir, the region has witnessed continued snowfall, marking the peak of winter weather conditions. On Friday, fresh snowfall was recorded in many areas, including the season’s first in several parts of the valley. This snowstorm, triggered by a western disturbance, led to light snowfall across the region.
Snowfall was reported in popular tourist destinations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, along with other regions like Gurez, Zojila, Sadhna Top, Mughal Road, and parts of Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts. For the first time this season, snow also blanketed the plains of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama districts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light snowfall is expected to continue in the higher reaches of the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal range. The weather department has also forecast light snow or rain in southern and central Kashmir during the evening and night.
Due to the snow, the Srinagar-Leh Highway and the Mughal Road were temporarily shut down. The drop in temperatures has also led to freezing conditions, with water supply lines freezing and a thin layer of ice forming on water bodies like Dal Lake.
The minimum temperatures in various places across the valley remained well below freezing. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.3°C, while Gulmarg saw temperatures of minus 6°C. Pahalgam recorded minus 8°C, and Konibal, a village in Pampore, was the coldest place at minus 9.5°C. The minimum temperatures in other parts of the region also remained below normal for this time of year.
The weather is expected to remain mainly dry between December 29 and 31, with light snowfall possible in isolated areas from January 1 to 5. Temperatures are anticipated to rise slightly until Monday, but the ongoing cold wave will continue as Kashmir remains amid the ‘Chillai-Kalan’ period.
The ‘Chillai-Kalan’ phase, which started on December 21, is known for its extreme cold, and it typically brings the highest chance of snowfall and significant temperature drops. This period will last for 40 days, ending on January 30, and will be followed by the ‘Chillai-Khurd’ and ‘Chillai-Bachha’ phases, which are milder cold periods.
