Light to moderate snowfall is likely at many places across Jammu and Kashmir from Tuesday, with higher reaches of the Union Territory expected to receive fresh snow till January 1, the Meteorological Department said on Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), according to the news agency, said weather conditions would remain generally cloudy on December 30, with the possibility of light rain or snowfall at several places towards the evening.
"From December 31 to January 1, light rain or snow is likely at most places, while a few higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir may receive moderate snowfall," it said.
According to the forecast, snowfall activity is also expected to be more pronounced along the Zojila–Drass axis and over the Siachen area.
"Light to moderate snowfall is also likely in parts of the Kargil and Zanskar regions, as well as higher reaches of Leh district," it said.
The IMD said snowfall accumulation of up to 10 inches is possible at Zojila during this period.
Meanwhile, according to officials, snowfall has begun in the higher reaches of the Kashmir, including Razdan Top and Zojila, and was continuing in these areas at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, tourists in good numbers have reached winter destinations across Kashmir to celebrate the New Year, amid forecasts of peak snowfall, which was largely absent in the region during the same period last year.
A weather advisory issued by MeT warned of a high risk of temporary disruption of surface transport over the Zojila pass due to heavy snowfall on December 31.
Authorities have also cautioned that flight cancellations are likely during the December 31–January 1 period, depending on prevailing weather conditions.
The weather is expected to remain cold and cloudy during the peak snowfall period. Improvement is likely from the afternoon of January 1, with no major weather activity expected thereafter till January 12, the IMD said.
Meanwhile, the latest weather data displayed below-normal minimum temperatures at several places in the Kashmir Valley.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 5.2 degrees Celsius and minus 5.9 degrees Celsius respectively.
Furthermore, the day temperatures remained above normal at most places.
Authorities have advised commuters, tourists and transport operators to stay updated with weather advisories and plan travel accordingly, particularly along high-altitude passes connecting Kashmir with Ladakh.
The administration has asked concerned departments to remain alert in view of the forecast and ensure preparedness for any weather-related disruptions.
FRESH WESTERN DISTURBANCE TO HIT J&K
Meanwhile, an independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather’s Faizan Arif, said a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir from December 30, bringing light to moderate snowfall mainly over the Kashmir Valley.
He said snowfall activity is expected to peak between the afternoon of December 30 and the morning of December 31.
Arif added that while snowfall over the plains remains uncertain, a slight chance cannot be ruled out if precipitation continues during the night.
He said mostly cloudy conditions with light to moderate rain or snow are likely on December 31 and January 1, followed by a return to dry weather from January 2 to January 5.
Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari roads remain closed due to fresh snow accumulation—(KNO)