As the winter chill deepens across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, residents are bracing for one of the coldest seasons on record. The region is currently experiencing an intensified cold wave, with clear skies contributing to plummeting temperatures. Srinagar has recorded its lowest temperature of the season at a biting minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
The harsh conditions are particularly pronounced in South Kashmir, where the Larnoo area has reported a chilling minus 8.1 degrees. Popular tourist destinations are also feeling the freeze; Pahalgam recorded a minimum of minus 8.4 degrees, while Shopian dipped to minus 8.5 degrees Celsius. North Kashmir’s famed ski resort in Baramulla saw temperatures drop to minus 9 degrees, with Sonamarg emerging as the coldest spot in the Valley at a frigid minus 9.7 degrees.
Other notable temperature readings include Pulwama at minus 8.3 degrees, Bandipora at minus 5.5 degrees, and Baramulla at minus 5.1 degrees. The Ladakh region is enduring similar conditions, with Leh town experiencing a stark minus 13.2 degrees. The Zojila Pass, which connects Ladakh to Jammu and Kashmir, recorded an alarming minus 21 degrees.
The Meteorological Department has attributed these extreme conditions to the La Niña phenomenon, characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. This weather pattern significantly influences wind circulation, leading to increased precipitation in the form of rain and snow. As the region approaches ‘Chillai Kalan’—the coldest 40-day period starting December 21—the effects of La Niña are expected to exacerbate both cold and precipitation levels.
Looking ahead, the Met Department has forecast generally dry weather from December 10th to December 11th, followed by potential snowfall from December 12th to December 13th. After this brief spell of snow, another dry period is expected from December 13th to December 18th, likely resulting in further drops in temperature.
As residents prepare for the harsh winter ahead, authorities are urging caution and preparedness to navigate the extreme cold that is expected to persist in the coming weeks.
