Srinagar: The higher altitudes of the Kashmir Valley received light snowfall on Saturday, while the plains experienced light rain.
According to officials from the Meteorological Department, additional precipitation is expected in Jammu and Kashmir over the next 48 hours due to a weak Western Disturbance currently affecting the region.
Tourist destinations such as Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam were blanketed in fresh snow, creating a picturesque scene in the morning as the mountain peaks were covered in a delicate layer of white.
Visitors in Gulmarg were excited to witness the snowfall, with some young tourists sharing that it was their first experience of snow in person. “I’ve only seen snowfall in movies until today. When I woke up this morning, I saw small snowflakes swirling down from the sky. It was an unforgettable moment,” said 18-year-old Satish from Delhi, who is on vacation with his family at the Gulmarg ski resort.
The minimum temperature recorded in Srinagar was 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam saw temperatures drop to minus 0.5 and 0.3 degrees Celsius, respectively. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 13 degrees, Katra at 11.6, Batote at 7.1, Banihal at 4.6, and Bhaderwah at 4.3 degrees.
Meteorological officials noted that due to cloud cover, nighttime temperatures in the valley would rise, while daytime temperatures are expected to decrease over the next two days.
Kashmir is preparing for an early onset of a harsh winter this year. Locals are increasingly seen wearing heavy woolen clothing and the traditional thick tweed over-garment known as the ‘Pheran.’
The 40-day period of severe winter, called ‘Chillai Kalan,’ begins annually on December 21 and ends on January 30. During this time, water bodies in the valley may freeze partially or entirely, complicating boat travel and other forms of water transport.