Srinagar, Dec 20: As the harshest period of winter, Chillay Kalan, sets in from Friday, the weatherman predicted that Kashmir skies will remain mostly dry and sunny in the coming few days.
“There is least or no possibility of downpour in the Valley for the next 24 hours. The weather will remain dry and sky will remain clear in most parts,” an official at the local Met office said here.
“Due to clear skies, the night temperatures will show dip and morning frost will be a general phenomenon from now on,” he said.
Snowfall and rainfall in the Valley are a result of moisture-laden Western Disturbances that shed their moisture in the Himalayan regions like Kashmir.
“Until the Western Disturbances do not originate and route their way towards Kashmir, rainfall and snowfall in the region is not possible,” the official said.
Known for snowfall and chilly weather conditions, the forty-day Chillay Kalan will be followed by twenty-day Chillay Khurd and ten-day Chilla Bache. Kashmir is in the grip of cold wave from almost one month, with temperatures showing fluctuations from normal. The sub-zero conditions have resulted in cold related diseases in children and aged persons, with Valley’s agriculture community of the apprehension that if such weather continues the yield might be affected.
“Kashmir witnessed snowfall last week but that was not enough. As the sky continues to remain clear, there are least chances of rain and both minimum and maximum temperatures are also likely to fluctuate from normal. These weather conditions will have an adverse effect on agriculture and health,” the Met official said.
Srinagar recorded minimum of minus 1.7 degree and maximum of 11.7 degree Celsius. The gateway town of Qazigund recorded minimum temperature of minus 0.2 and maximum of 10 degree Celsius.
The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a minimum of minus 9 degree Celsius while as Pahalgam recorded minimum of minus 8.2 degree and maximum of 8.2 degree Celsius. Leh recorded minimum of minus 14.6 and maximum of 5 degree Celsius.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST