Jammu Kashmir Likely To Witness Light Snowfall Due To Western Disturbance

Western disturbances are believed to be extratropical storms that originate in the Mediterranean Sea. Central Indian to see thunderstorn, snowfall in higher reaches.

A frail western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir on Friday with a possibility of light snowfall over isolated places in the higher reaches, according to the meteorological department. Minimum temperatures in Kashmir rose marginally due to cloud cover. As per MeT, western disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir on Friday and January 17 evening.

Under the influence of these western disturbances, Jammu and Kashmir will witness light snowfall over isolated places in the higher reaches.

A dry winter in Kashmir has resulted in freezing nights and warmer-than-usual days. Day temperatures in Srinagar were more than 6 degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of the year.

According to a PTI report, the Valley continued to experience sub-zero night temperatures with the mercury plummeting to the normal temperature for this time of the year.

The people of Srinagar have seen a minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday night – a notch up from the previous night.

Qazigund, registered a low of minus 4.2 degrees and the ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.

As per Met, minimum temperature of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius was recorded in Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra.
The minimum temperature in Kokernag town plummeted at minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, while minus 4.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in Kupwara.

Kashmir is currently reeling under the grip of "Chilla-i-Kalan", a 40-day harsh winter period during which a cold wave sweeps the region and temperatures nosedived leading to the freezing of water bodies and also the water in pipes. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period, reported PTI.

Kashmir has been going through a elongated dry spell and a 79 per cent rain deficit was recorded in December. There was no precipitation in the first week of January.

There has been no snowfall in most plains of Kashmir while the upper reaches have received lesser-than-usual amounts of snow.

'Chilla-i-Kalan' will end on January 31. However, the cold conditions will continue after that with a 20-day 'Chilla-i-Khurd' and a 10-day 'Chilla-i-Bachha'.