Cold Wave Is Back In Valley

Snowfall on Feb 5, 6 likely to hit road, air links
SRINAGAR, Feb 1: After a short break, cold wave is back in Kashmir with mercury level falling further.
Gulmarg registered a drop of over eight degrees in its minimum temperature. According to the MeT office, the ski resort in north Kashmir had recorded a low of -2 degrees the previous night but the sharp decline in temperature saw it shivering at -10.6 degree Celsius on Thrusday.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar was -1.4 degrees, which was lower by over two notches from the previous night’s 1.8 degree Celsius, while the mercury in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam settled at -4.4 degree Celsius. The hill resort had recorded -3.6 degrees the previous night.
The minimum temperature in the highway town of Qazigund, also in south Kashmir, was -3.6 degree Celsius as against -1.4 degrees yesterday.
Kokernag recorded a low of -1 degree Celsius, up from -1.5 degrees the night before, while Kupwara town in north Kashmir was at -1.7 degree Celsius after 0.7 degrees the previous night.
Night temperatures improved in Ladakh where a jump of five notches saw the minimum in Leh rise to -7 degrees after -12.2 degree Celsius the previous night.
The night temperature in Kargil, also in the frontier region of Ladakh, settled at a minimum of -8 degrees as against -13.6 degree Celsius yesterday.
Meanwhile, the meteorological centre today predicted fresh snowfall. Giving details a statement said, “A western disturbance is approaching over the state and is likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from the evening of Februray 3 till 7 morning (Sunday/Thursday) with main activity on February 5h and 6. Due to this weather system, moderate to heavy snowfall (over hills)/ rains (in plains) will occur at widespread places of Jammu and Kashmir regions and at a few places over Ladakh region. Because of moisture incursion from Arabian Sea, some places along Pirpanjal range and plains of Jammu is likely to receive heavy to very heavy snowfall/rainfall during these days.”
The statement added that during the period day temperaure may fall by 6-7⁰C. and night temp. may rise by 2 to 3⁰C. The weather is likely to disrupt surface and air transportation on February 5 and 6.