The Meteorological Department has predicted a 2-day wet spell from January 4. As per the latest forecast, a light to moderate spell of snowfall is likely at many places of the Valley during January 4 and 5.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, said the weather is likely to remain dry and cold till January 3, after which inclement weather is likely between January 4 and 5. “As of today, the weather is most likely to remain mainly dry and cold in both J&K and Ladakh till January 3. Thereafter, a spell of light to moderate snowfall is likely during January 4 and 5 at many places of Kashmir, few places of hilly areas of Jammu and Zojila, Drass and hilly areas of Zanskar and Leh district on January 5,” Lotus said in the weather advisory.
Lotus said that except for the likely spell of snowfall next week “there is no forecast of any major snowfall till next 10 days beginning today”. Earlier this week, both plains and higher reaches of the Valley received light to moderate snowfall which affected both surface and air transport.
TEMPERATURES:
The Valley continues to reel under a severe cold wave as summer capital Srinagar froze at minus 5.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night. Ski-resort Gulmarg in Baramulla recorded minus 10.4 degrees, being the coldest recorded station in the Valley on Wednesday night. Pahalgam recorded minus 9.6 degrees Celsius. While sunshine greeted the Valley on Thursday, Srinagar recorded 8.1 degrees Celsius maximum temperature.
The impact of the severe cold wave has taken its toll also on winter capital Jammu which recorded 2.8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, which is several notches below normal. The Valley is witnessing the 40-day harshest winter of Chillai Kalan when a cold wave grips the region and the temperature drops considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies including the Dal Lake as well as the water supply lines in several parts of the valley. The chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall.
HIGHWAY CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC ON FRIDAY:
The 270-kilometre Srinagar-Jammu National Highway will remain closed for vehicular traffic for undertaking repair works on Friday, a traffic department advisory said. Traffic on the highway has remained suspended on Fridays for the last few weeks owing to repair works.