Kashmir : Jammu and Kashmir continue to experience severe cold conditions, with Srinagar reaching a low of minus 3.8°C and Jammu recording the season’s lowest temperature on Thursday.

Srinagar has recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.8°C for the past two nights, with the current temperature of minus 3.8°C being 1.7°C below the normal for this time of the year, according to a meteorological department official. Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 3.4°C, which was 0.5°C below normal.

Pahalgam, a famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.1°C, 1.5°C above normal. Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 2.44°C, 1.1°C above normal. Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.9°C, 1.4°C below normal.

Gulmarg, the renowned skiing resort in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.2°C, 2.8°C above normal. Jammu recorded a minimum of 4.7°C, 2.6°C below normal.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.4°C, Batote 3.1°C, and Bhaderwah 1.1°C. The Kashmir valley is currently in the midst of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ a 40-day harsh winter period ending on January 30, followed by ‘Chillai-Khurd’ and ‘Chillai-Bachha.’

The weather forecast suggests generally cloudy and dry weather over plains from January 4-5, with very light snow in isolated extreme higher reaches. From January 6-7, mainly dry weather is expected. On January 8, generally cloudy weather is anticipated with the possibility of light rain/snow over isolated higher reaches. From January 9-10, generally dry weather is expected to prevail.