Srinagar: The Meteorological department has forecast fairly widespread rains and snow from January 1 in Kashmir Valley.
If the forecast comes good, it will end the prevailing dry spell and give respite from bone-chilling temperatures in the Valley from last several days.
A weather office official here said there was possibility of forecast fairly widespread downpour on January 1 and 2.
In run up to the forecast, there has been increase in mercury in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley with summer capital of the state recording minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, and nearly five degree above from previous night’s minus 7.7 degree. The day temperature also saw increase on Sunday with Srinagar recording 12.6 degrees Celsius, nearly five degrees above normal.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.
‘Chillai-Kalan’ ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir.
The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
The MeT official said Qazigund the gateway town to the Valley – in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius while the nearby Kokernag town registered a low of minus 2.7 degrees Celsius last night.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius last night, they said.
The night temperature in Pahalgam settled at a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius last up from the previous night’s minus 8.3 degrees Celsius.
The ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded the minimum temperature of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius last night, up from the previous night’s minus 7.0 degrees Celsius, the officials said.
