Kashmir recorded a sharp drop in night temperatures on Saturday, with several places reporting sub-zero minimums, even as the Meteorological Department forecast rain and snow across most areas on January 26.
According to data obtained by the news agency, Zethan Rafiabad recorded the lowest temperature at minus 10.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Gulmarg at minus 12.0 degrees Celsius and Sonamarg at minus 10.5 degrees Celsius.
Other areas in the Kashmir Valley also reported freezing temperatures, including Beerwah in Budgam at minus 8.2 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam at minus 7.6 degrees Celsius, and Shopian at minus 7.1 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar Airport recorded minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.
Other areas across the Valley, including Kupwara, Kokernag, Pampore, Awantipora, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Bandipora, experienced temperatures ranging from minus 2.0 to minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, comparatively milder conditions were recorded. Katra recorded a minimum of 6.6 degrees Celsius, Jammu Airport 4.7 degrees Celsius, and Jammu city 4.5 degrees Celsius.
Other districts, including Banihal, Batote, Bhaderwah, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Samba, Rajouri, Reasi, and Kishtwar, reported minimum temperatures ranging from minus 4.4 to 3.8 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the valley received widespread rainfall and snowfall over the past 24 hours, with several areas recording significant accumulation.
Srinagar recorded 37 mm of rainfall and no snowfall on January 23, followed by 16.4 mm of rain and 2 cm of snow on January 24, bringing the total precipitation to 53.4 mm of rain and 2 cm of snow. Qazigund recorded 94.2 mm of rainfall and 15 cm of snow, while Pahalgam saw 66.2 mm of rain and 64.2 cm of snow.
Kupwara received 45.5 mm of rain and 35 cm of snow, and Gulmarg recorded the highest totals with 101.2 mm of rain and 96.8 cm of snow.
Other areas, including Kukernag, Banihal, Batote, Bhaderwah, Jammu, Katra, Kathua, Mirpur, Awantipora, Udhampur, Ramban, Samba, and Rajouri, also reported varying levels of rainfall, while snowfall was recorded primarily in hilly and valley regions.
Furthermore, the J&K is likely to experience light rain and snow at isolated places on January 25, according to the Meteorological Department.
"Weather is expected to change from January 26, with rain and snow at most places, and a possibility of moderate to heavy precipitation accompanied by thunder and gusty winds at a few locations, mainly during the night of January 26 and evening of January 27," it said.
"Partly cloudy conditions are forecast from January 28 to 31 and continuing into February 1-3," it added.
The department advised farmers to suspend field operations until January 28, and the public in snow-bound higher reaches are warned against venturing into avalanche-prone or sloppy areas.(KNO)