Srinagar, Dec 21: Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period commenced on Thursday, while the night temperature across the Valley dips several degrees below the freezing point.
The 40-day harshest winter period begins on 21 December and ends on 31 January of the next year.
It is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between January 31 and February 19 and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold) which begins from February 20 to March 02.
As per the INS, the night temperature has recorded a further dip a across Kashmir with Srinagar recording a low of -4.3°C.
The Meteorological department has said Konibal was coldest at -6.0°C followed by Pahalgam where mercury settled at -5.8°C.
In Kokernag and Qazigund areas of Southern district, the night temperature has settled at -3.0°C and -4.0°C respectively.
Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort has recorded a low of -3.0°C while Kupwara recorded a low of -4.0°C.
Moreover, the weatherman has predicted a dry spell for the next one week, saying the weather is expected to remain mostly dry till December 28.
However, the Meteorological department here has stated that the light snowfall is expected on December 23 at isolated higher reaches, but overall there is no forecast of any significant weather activity during the period.
