Srinagar, Feb 14: A couple of moderate to intense Western Disturbances most likely to trigger rain and snow over the J&K and its adjoining areas from Saturday afternoon onwards, officials said.
Meteorological Centre Srinagar said under the influence of WD an extended wet spell from February 17 (night) onwards till February 21 (Afternoon) most likely to cause moderate rain and snow at many places over J&K and adjoining areas.
The weather will remain partly to generally cloudy with the possibility of light Snow at isolated higher reaches towards late night on February 17, while on February 18 it would be generally cloudy with possibility of light to moderate rain/Snow at many places.
During the February 19-20 there is a possibility of light to moderate rain/Snow at most places (Plains & Lower reaches) with the possibility of heavy snowfall over middle & higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam, Shopian and Kulgam districts during February 19 late afternoon/evening to February 20 late night in Kashmir valley, the MeT office said.
It said that there is a possibility of light to moderate Snow at many places till afternoon/late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter on February 21.
MeT also predicted light rain snow at many places over Jammu division on February 18 while on February 19-20 intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder, lightning in plains with light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches with heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar, the MeT office said.
Light to moderate snow, rain, thunder and lightning over many places till late afternoon/evening and gradual improvement thereafter on February 21.
The weatherman has also issued an advisory stating that the weather system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes of Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna & Razdan pass, Zojila etc.
Travellers are advised to Plan accordingly while the farmers are advised to withheld irrigation and fertilizer application & drain out excess water from Orchards and fields during the above period.
There is a possibility of significant drop in day temperature during the above period, it said.
The MeT office said the minimum temperature during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday slipped down by a few notches as Srinagar recorded a low of -3.0°C against the -2.5°C against the previous night. It was 3.2°C below normal for the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Qazigund on Srinagar-Jammu national had a low of -2.0°C against the -1.2°C while the picnic spot of Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a low of -0.2°C against the -0.3°C the previous day.
Tourist hot spot of Pahalgam remained the coldest place in Kashmir valley, although there was a further improvement in minimum temperature by a few notches. Pahalgam recorded -5.2°C against the -5.4°C. It was 0.2°C below normal for the valley of shepherds in south Kashmir.
Kupwara recorded a low of -3.4°C against the -3.6°C and it was 2.2°C below normal for the frontier north Kashmir district.
The minimum temperature at Gulmarg settled at -4.2°C against the -4.5°C recorded on Tuesday and it was 2.o°C above normal for the famous ski resort of north Kashmir.
