Western Disturbance likely to bring rain, snowfall to Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 2: Night temperatures in the Kashmir Valley have improved but remain below freezing point, ahead of an anticipated Western Disturbance (WD) that is expected to bring light rain and snowfall to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.The Meteorological Department (MeT) forecasts that a weak WD will affect the region, with light rain and snow likely over higher reaches and scattered areas from late Monday evening through Tuesday morning. Dry weather is expected to return afterward, lasting until December 7.Another wet spell is anticipated on December 8, with a possibility of light rain and snow in higher reaches and isolated areas. Following that, the weather will remain dry until December 12.While the region continues to experience cold conditions, temperatures have slightly improved but remain below normal at most places. Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination, recorded the coldest temperature in the region at minus 2.9°C, followed by Pahalgam at 2.3°C on Monday.Srinagar’s minimum temperature on the night of Sunday to Monday rose to minus 0.8°C, which is 0.4°C above normal for this time of year. However, the city and surrounding areas, including Dal Lake, were covered in fog, disrupting normal activities.Qazigund recorded a low of minus 1.4°C, slightly above the previous day’s minus 1.8°C, while Pahalgam’s temperature dropped to minus 2.3°C from minus 0.3°C, remaining 1.0°C above normal.The ski resort of Gulmarg saw the mercury dip to minus 2.9°C, a slight decrease from the previous night’s minus 2.6°C but still 0.2°C above normal. Kokernag recorded a low of 0.2°C, slightly above the previous night’s 0.4°C, and 0.8°C above normal.In the frontier district of Kupwara, temperatures dipped to minus 0.6°C, down from minus 0.5°C, but remained 1.1°C above normal for this time of year.