Srinagar: Kashmir continued to witness an unusually mild winter as key tourist destinations, including Gulmarg and Pahalgam, reported sub-zero temperatures on Monday night but still remained significantly warmer than the seasonal average, according to the Meteorological Department.
Officials said night temperatures across the valley have stayed three to four degrees above normal, marking a clear departure from typical winter conditions. Meanwhile, the MeT department has predicted rain and snowfall across Kashmir beginning Tuesday.
The valley is presently in the grip of Chilla-e-Kalan—the harshest 40-day winter period—when temperatures usually plunge well below freezing, especially during the night. Contrary to the norm, current readings indicate a noticeable warming trend.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature settled at 1.0 degrees Celsius, which is 3.6 degrees above the average for this time of year. Gulmarg, the coldest place in the valley, recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, still 4.3 degrees higher than normal.
In south Kashmir, Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, around four degrees above the seasonal norm. Qazigund, the gateway town of the valley, recorded a low of 1.4 degrees Celsius—4.1 degrees above the average.
Meteorologists said the prevailing conditions reflect an atypical winter pattern, with temperatures remaining higher than expected despite the ongoing peak cold phase.(KINS)
