Srinagar, Jan 13: The officials at the meteorological department on Saturday revealed that due to prolonged dry spells, the maximum temperature at many stations was recorded 6-8°C above normal with highest maximum temperature recorded in Srinagar (15°C), Banihal station (20.8°C), , while Jammu recorded (8.9°C) on January 13.
He said the 2nd highest maximum temperature during the month of January for Srinagar was recorded today (15°C) on January 13 during the last 50 years while the all-time record is 17.2 °C on January 23, 1902.
The previous record high 14.2°C was set on January 21, 2018. Saturday ‘s maximum temperature was 8.6°C above the average. On January 25, 2010, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 15.8°C.
The all-time highest temperature ever recorded in Srinagar is 17.2°C on January 23, 1902. 10 highest maximum temperatures recorded in Srinagar in January, 10th 14.2°C on 21 Jan 2018, 9th 14.3°C on 28 Jan 2010, 8th 14.4°C on 29 Jan 2010, 7th 14.5°C on 22 Jan 2010, 6th 14.8°C on 18 Jan 2010, 5th 15.1°C on 23 Jan 2003, 4th 15.5°C on 09 Jan 1976, 3rd 15.7°C on 31 Jan 2001, 2nd 15.8°C on 25 Jan 2010 and 1st 17.2°C on 23 Jan 1902.
Meanwhile, a slight western disturbance affected Jammu and Kashmir on Friday night, resulting in light snowfall in the Gurez area in north Kashmir, officials reported. Drass in Ladakh also witnessed very light snowfall, with no significant accumulation.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that Gurez Valley of Bandipora district and higher reaches of Drass and other higher reaches witnessed light snowfall during early morning hours on Saturday.
Regarding forecast, he said dry weather will likely continue till 23rd January with feeble WDs approaching on 16th and 20th evening. Under the influence of these WDs, generally cloudy weather with light snow over isolated higher reaches is expected.
Dr Mukhtar said from January 21-23rd, weather will remain generally dry. There will be redevelopment of fog with cold day conditions from Sunday onwards till January 16 over plains of Jammu Division.
Qazigund recorded a low of minus 2 degrees, while the ski resort of Gulmarg registered a low of minus 1 degree Celsius, up from minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday night.
Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a key base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 5.3 degrees Celsius the previous night.
Meanwhile, Kokernag town settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara experienced a temperature of minus 0.3 degrees Celsius. Leh town in Ladakh region had minus 5.6, Kargil minus 10.4 and Drass minus 5 as the night’s lowest temperature.
Jammu city had 4, Katra 7.2, Batote 8, Bhaderwah 5.8 and Banihal 3 as the minimum temperature.
A traffic spokesman said on Sunday, contingent upon fair weather and favorable road conditions, both Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) would be permitted from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). Commuters were urged to adhere to lane discipline.
