Except for brief spells of light snow in plains, the harshest winter period has thus far remained largely dry. (Representational Image)
The prevalent dry weather in Kashmir is likely to end as the Meteorological Department in Srinagar has predicted rain or snowfall for few days in the coming week.
There are chances of isolated rains in the Valley over two days from January 26, while there is possibility of scattered to widespread rainfall or snowfall over three days from January 28, an official of the Meteorological department here said.
He said there is a chance of snowfall in the region especially in the higher reaches of the Valley during this period especially at the end of the month which would coincide with the culmination of Chillai-Kalan.
Chillai-Kalan, which began on December 21 and ends on January 31, is the period of winter when the chances of snowfall are usually most frequent and maximum. However, more than a month into Chillai-Kalan, Kashmir continues to experience dry weather.
Except for brief spells of light snow in plains on two occasions and moderate snowfall in the higher reaches on a few occasions, the harshest winter period has thus far remained largely dry.
The prevalent dry weather has resulted in the night temperature hovering several degrees below the freezing point at most places and also lead to increase in common ailments like cough and cold.
Meanwhile, the night temperature in Kargil, in Ladakh region, went down two notches from the previous night's minimum of minus 14.6 degrees Celsius to settle at the season's low of minus 16.6 degrees Celsius, the official said.
He said the mercury level in the nearby Leh town settled at a low of minus 15.8 degrees Celsius, slightly up from previous night minimum of minus 16.2 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir - witnessed a further drop in the night temperature as the mercury settled at a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night's minus 5 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The hill resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 7.1 degrees Celsius against yesterday's minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, the star attraction for tourists visiting the Valley during winter, recorded an increase of a degree in the minimum temperature which settled at minus 3.5 degrees Celsius. The mercury there is witnessing an increasing trend since the last four days.
The official said the mercury in Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir Valley also went up from minus 5.2 degrees Celsius the previous night to settle at a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded the minimum of minus 5 degrees Celsius, while the mercury in Kokernag, in south, settled at a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, he said.