Srinagar scorches at 31.6°C, 6.8°C above seasonal average

Third warmest May day in a decade for Srinagar

Prolonged hot & dry spell forecast for J&K: MeT Department

Jammu records season’s highest temp at 41.2°C

Srinagar, May 22:Srinagar experienced scorching temperatures on Wednesday, recording a high of 31.6°C, marking it as the hottest day of the season and the third warmest May day in the past decade for the summer capital.

According to MeT data, the maximum temperature of 31.6°C in Srinagar was 6.8°C above the seasonal average. This temperature is the highest recorded this season and ranks as the third warmest day in May over the past decade. Previously, Srinagar witnessed higher temperatures in May, hitting 31.7°C on May 27, 2020, and 31.9°C on May 22, 2016.

From 2014 to 2024, maximum temperatures in May have ranged from 28.5°C to 31.9°C, while minimum temperatures have varied between 5.0°C and 9.8°C. The highest 24-hour rainfall recorded ranged from 7.6 mm to 19.8 mm, and monthly total rainfall varied between 31.5 mm and 85.7 mm. Historical records show that the highest maximum temperature was 36.4°C, recorded on May 24, 1968. The lowest minimum temperature plummeted to 1.0°C on May 1, 2004. The highest 24-hour rainfall peaked at 66.2 mm on May 23, 1987, and the highest monthly total rainfall reached 190.5 mm in May 1987.

Director of the MeT Srinagar Centre, Dr.Mukhtar Ahmad, told *Rising Kashmir* that a prolonged period of hot and dry weather conditions is forecasted for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the next five days. “A heatwave is likely to prevail in the plains of the Jammu division for the next five days. Meanwhile, hot and dry weather conditions are expected in the plains of the Kashmir Valley and the hilly regions of the Jammu division,” he said.

Dr. Ahmad mentioned that generally dry weather will persist, with the possibility of thundershower activity at isolated places. Overall, no significant weather activity is expected until May 28.

Other regions also recorded sweltering temperatures, with Qazigund reaching 31.6°C, Pahalgam 27.1°C, Kokernag 30.2°C, and Kupwara 30.2°C. Jammu, the winter capital, recorded its season’s highest temperature at 41.2°C.

In response to the extreme hot and humid weather conditions, the Directorate of School Education in Jammu has changed school timings in the Summer Zones of the Jammu Division. All government and private (recognized) schools up to the Higher Secondary level in these zones will now operate from 8 AM to 12 Noon, effective from Wednesday.