The Meteorological Department on Thursday forecast light snow in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir between December 13 and 17, while predicting mostly partly cloudy conditions across the Union Territory in the coming days.
An official informed the news agency that December 12 (Friday) is expected to remain partly cloudy across Jammu and Kashmir. From December 13 to 17, skies are likely to be partly to generally cloudy, with very light snowfall possible at isolated higher altitude locations in north and central Kashmir, mainly during late night and early morning hours.
Looking further ahead, weather conditions from December 18 to 19 are expected to be partly to generally cloudy.
Between December 20 and 21, scattered light rain and snow may occur in parts of the Kashmir division, with isolated places in the Jammu division also experiencing light precipitation in the evening.
From December 22 to 25, the region is likely to remain partly cloudy.
The department also cautioned that shallow to moderate fog is expected to persist in several areas of the Kashmir division, along with isolated locations in Jammu, potentially affecting visibility during early morning hours.
Meanwhile, minimum temperatures recorded across the Union Territory on Thursday indicate sub-zero readings in several Kashmir Valley locations.
Srinagar recorded -2.9°C, Pahalgam -4.6°C, Kupwara -4.2°C, Pulwama -5.2°C, and Shopian -5.2°C. Zojila Pass remained the coldest at -18.0°C.
In Jammu, the mercury stayed above freezing, with Jammu at 8.6°C, Katra at 9.5°C, Banihal at 2.4°C, and Bhaderwah 1.4°C.
Ladakh continued to experience severe cold, with Leh recording -7.0°C, Kargil -6.5°C, Drass -9.9°C, and Nyoma -12.8°C.
Officials advised residents, particularly in high-altitude and fog-affected areas, to take necessary precautions against the cold and reduced visibility.
The department said it will continue monitoring the weather closely and provide timely updates to help authorities and residents prepare for changing conditions.
The advisory stressed the need for preparedness as winter progresses, particularly in snow-prone and high-altitude areas, where sudden weather changes could disrupt daily life and transportation.