Srinagar, Dec 8: Kashmir’s higher reaches, including the popular ski resort of Gulmarg, received fresh snowfall on Sunday, leading to the closure of the historic Mughal Road connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch, and Sinthan Road in Kishtwar, officials said.
The snowfall delighted tourists at Gulmarg, located in the Baramulla district, who were overjoyed at the sight of snow-covered landscapes. Additionally, snowfall was reported from the Machhil and Bangus valleys in Kupwara district, as well as from the upper reaches of Bandipora district. Several mountainous areas of the Pir Panjal range in Jammu and Kashmir also received fresh snow.
The fresh snowfall has intensified the cold wave in the region, following a slight improvement in night temperatures the previous night, though they remained below freezing.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar predicted light rain and snow in the higher reaches of Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu division, with cloudy weather prevailing until December 9. According to independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif, a minor snow spell is expected in the higher reaches of Kashmir on Sunday evening, with light rain possible in Jammu region.
The MeT office reported that the night temperature in Gulmarg improved to -3.4°C, while Srinagar recorded a low of -0.5°C, slightly above normal for this time of year. Pahalgam saw a low of -2.8°C, and Qazigund recorded -1.0°C. Kupwara’s night temperature significantly improved, reaching 0.4°C.
The weather is expected to remain dry on December 10, with a minor snow spell in the higher reaches of central Kashmir on December 11. A weak Western Disturbance may bring light rain and snow to the region around December 12, before dry conditions return by December 17.
