Srinagar, Jan 14: The Meteorological department has predicted persistence of dry weather conditions in Kashmir valley while as the temperatures plummeted several degrees below freezing point on Sunday, Met officials revealed that dry weather was likely to continue till January 24th in the Himalayan region.
So far winter season in Kashmir has been marked by a dry spell and minimal snowfall, leading to freezing nights. Despite the scarcity of snow, daytime temperatures in Srinagar have been notably warmer, registering over eight degrees above the normal for this time of the year.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad said that dry weather is likely to continue till 24th January with feeble WDs approaching on 16th and 20th evening. Under the influence of these WDs, generally cloudy weather with light rain and snow over isolated middle & higher reaches is expected during 16th & 20th night.
“Overall, no significant weather activity till 24th January. There is a possibility of light rain and snow from 25-27th January at scattered places as per indications of different models. We will update in the coming days more clearly,” he said.
Mukhtar said that dense fog with cold day conditions is likely to continue till 16th January over plains of Jammu division.
He said the maximum temperature recorded on Sunday of Drass Kargil recorded 9.5 °C which is almost equal to the maximum temperature of Jammu on 14th Jan.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.2°C, indicating a deviation of 2.1°C below the normal temperature for this time of the year.
Other regions also report variations from the norm, such as Qazigund recording a minimum of minus 3.0°C, Pahalgam at minus 5.5°C, Kokernag at minus 2.2°C, Kupwara at minus 4.0°C, and Gulmarg at minus 1.2°C. Notably, Gulmarg’s temperature is 6.7°C above normal for this renowned skiing resort.
The maximum temperature in Jammu also dipped to 9.6 degrees Celsius and it was lower than Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Kokernag, Sonamarg, Leh, Drass and Srinagar.
Jammu is reeling under extreme severe cold wave over the past fortnight with the mercury hovering several notches below normal due to foggy conditions in the morning hours and absence of the Sun during the day.
Foggy weather has also hit the rail and air traffic, causing inconvenience to the passengers. Samba recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.
A traffic police official said that 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.
Additionally, vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road would be permitted from both directions—Srinagar to Kargil and vice versa.
Simultaneously, vehicular movement on the Mughal road will be permitted from both directions—Poonch to Shopian and vice versa. Vehicles would be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) between 1000 hrs and 1500 hrs, pending a green signal from road agencies.
