• Source:JND

Kashmir Snowfall Alert: Kashmir has received its first snowfall of the season, signalling the start of the harsh winter. Severe cold, dense fog, and a cold wave have also set in with the onset of Chillai Kalan. Fresh snowfall began late on Saturday evening across several areas, including Warwan Valley, Sinthan Top, Razdan Pass, and Sadhna Top in north Kashmir, as well as other higher reaches.

The Zojila Pass along the Srinagar–Ladakh highway also saw fresh snowfall. This cold weather comes in the wake of an alert issued by the Meteorological Department, which has forecast rain and snowfall in the region over the coming days, as the 40-day period of extreme winter, locally called Chillai Kalan, begins.

Chillai Kalan, which translates from Persian as "Major Cold," is the coldest phase of winter in Kashmir and will last until January 31. It is followed by Chillai Khurd (Small Cold) from January 31 to February 19, and Chillai Bacha (Baby Cold) from Feb 20 to March 2.

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Kashmir Weather Alert: Snowfall Changes Temperatures Across Valley

Temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir have risen slightly, with fresh snowfall reported at higher altitudes. Light to moderate rain is also expected in the plains.

In the Kashmir Valley, Pulwama recorded the coldest night at minus 3.2 degrees C, up from minus 4.0 degrees C the previous day. Shopian followed with minus 2.9 degrees C, an improvement from minus 3.5 degrees C recorded on Friday.

Pampore registered a minimum of minus 2.0 degrees C, warmer than minus 3.5 degrees C the previous day. Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees C, significantly higher than Friday’s minus 2.1 degrees C.

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At Srinagar Airport, the minimum temperature settled at minus 1.6 degrees C, compared to minus 3.4 degrees C a day earlier. Qazigund and Pahalgam both recorded minus 1.0 degrees C, showing improvement from minus 1.8 degrees C and minus 2.6 degrees C, respectively.

The Meteorological Department has warned that rain and snowfall are likely in Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days.

Kashmir Weather: Snow Alert Issued In Valley Until December 31

From the evening of 20th December to the evening of 21st December, light to moderate snowfall is expected in higher reaches, with light to moderate rain forecast for the plains. On December 22, scattered light rain or snowfall is expected, followed by partly cloudy weather from December 23 to December 30. There is also a chance of light snowfall at some higher altitudes on December 31.

An advisory has been issued warning that higher reaches in the Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts may experience moderate to heavy snowfall, especially on December 21.


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