The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir is set to end as the region braces for snowfall and rain ahead of Chille Kalan. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecasted weather changes between December 20 and 21, bringing hope to residents after two weeks of dry conditions.
Officials from the MeT confirmed that weather patterns will shift from December 18 to 19. Expect partly to generally cloudy skies with a potential for very light snowfall in isolated higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir.
A more substantial weather event, marked by an active western disturbance, will impact the region late on December 20, continuing into December 21. This situation is likely to cause light to moderate snowfall over higher elevations and light to moderate rain across many areas in the plains, enhancing winter festivities.
Following this, December 22 will see generally cloudy conditions with isolated instances of rain or snowfall. The weather forecast indicates that from December 23 to 29, the region will witness partly to generally cloudy skies. Towards the end of December, particularly on 30 and 31, further light snowfall is anticipated at higher altitudes.
Snowfall Advisory Issued
In light of the expected weather changes, the MeT Department has put out an advisory detailing the potential for moderate to heavy snowfall in higher regions of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts, especially on December 21. Travellers and transporters should exercise caution and plan their journeys according to official advisories.
Temperatures Above Normal
In parallel, temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir have consistently stayed above normal during the current dry spell. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 10.6°C, which is about 1.2°C above average, with a minimum temperature of 0.2°C. In Gulmarg, the maximum temperature reached 8.8°C, nearly 4°C above normal, while the minimum reported was 1.6°C.
Northern Kashmir regions showed similar trends, such as Kupwara, which had maximum temperatures of 10.8°C and minimums at -1.0°C. Pahalgam recorded maximums of 11.2°C and 0.4°C as minimums, whereas Qazigund saw maximum temperatures of 13.0°C and minimums at 0.8°C. In the Jammu region, Jammu city reached a maximum of 22.3°C with a minimum of 11.0°C.
Despite forecasts of rain and snowfall, the MeT Department noted that no rainfall was recorded at any station in the past 24 hours. This indicates that although change is on the horizon, the dry spell had its grips on the region firmly before the anticipated weather pattern arrives.
