Kashmir’s higher altitudes have awakened to a picturesque scene as fresh snowfall graced the region overnight, delighting both locals and tourists alike. The popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, known for their breathtaking landscapes, received significant snowfall, with Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district reporting 9 mm of fresh snow. Sonamarg, nestled in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, also experienced moderate snowfall, adding to the winter charm.

The fresh snow has brought joy to the tourists enjoying their winter holidays in these stunning locales. However, the snowfall has led to the suspension of vehicular traffic on the Gurez-Bandipora road due to safety concerns following fresh snow accumulation on Razdan Pass.

In a notable shift, night temperatures across the Kashmir Valley have risen significantly, with readings between 3°C to 5°C above normal for this time of year. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.0°C, a considerable increase from the previous night’s -3.2°C. Similarly, Gulmarg, which had been the coldest spot in the region, saw its temperature rise to -3.2°C, a jump of 5.2°C from -7.8°C recorded earlier.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecasted light to moderate rain and snow across Jammu and Kashmir over the next two days. On January 22, the plains of Jammu are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, while higher altitudes in areas like the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal Range are likely to witness more snowfall. Another round of precipitation is anticipated on January 23.

From January 24 to 28, the weather is expected to remain predominantly dry, with a slight chance of isolated light rain or snow between January 29 and 31.

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