Even as Chillai Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period, ended on Friday, cold wave conditions continued across Kashmir on Saturday, with several areas in the Valley and higher reaches recording sub-zero minimum temperatures.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast cloudy weather with the possibility of light to moderate rain or snowfall, particularly in higher-altitude areas.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature dropped to minus 0.1 degrees Celsius on Friday night from 1.3 degrees Celsius the previous night, remaining about 0.5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.
Although temperature data was unavailable for some locations, including Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, Gulmarg in Baramulla district recorded the lowest temperature in the Union Territory at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 10.6 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night.
The tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, up from minus 5.3 degrees Celsius earlier. Qazigund registered a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag and Kupwara recorded minimum temperatures of minus 3.0 degrees Celsius and minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. Jammu city recorded a minimum of minus 1.0 degrees Celsius, while Udhampur settled at 3.6 degrees Celsius.
The weather office said conditions are likely to remain cloudy, with chances of light to moderate rain or snowfall, especially in higher reaches, accompanied by thunder or gusty winds at several places on Saturday and Sunday.
Light rain, along with snowfall in higher elevations, is also likely at scattered to many places across Kashmir on February 2 and 3, officials added.
Leh, Kargil Record Extreme Cold Conditions
Ladakh continued to reel under extreme cold conditions, with Leh recording a minimum temperature of minus 10.4 degrees Celsius. Hanle emerged as the coldest location in the region at minus 16.0 degrees Celsius, followed by Nubra Valley at minus 9.3 degrees Celsius and Kargil at minus 9.2 degrees Celsius.
Officials warned that cold conditions are likely to persist in the coming days. The MeT said feeble western disturbances (WDs) are moving across the region, increasing the possibility of light rain or snowfall, particularly in mountainous areas. These WDs are expected to affect the region on alternate days over the next ten days.
"There is a possibility of light to moderate snowfall in parts of Ganderbal, Anantnag and Bandipora districts. Moderate snowfall cannot be ruled out at some locations," a MeT official said.
He advised farmers to suspend irrigation activities and cautioned the public against venturing into avalanche-prone areas.
Chillai-Kalan Followed by Chillai-Khurd
The 40-day harshest winter period, known as Chillai-Kalan, which ended on January 30, is followed by Chillai-Khurd (small cold), lasting from January 31 to February 19.
Chillai-Khurd will, in turn, be followed by a 10-day-long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold), which begins on February 20 and lasts until March 2.
It is important to mention here that the entire Kashmir Valley was already gripped by severe cold even before the onset of Chillai-Kalan this year. Minimum temperatures dropped below the freezing point in November, resulting in Chillai-Kalan-like conditions well ahead of the official start of the 40-day period.
