Higher and mid reaches of Kashmir have received 1st snowfall of the season, on Monday,11th October 2021. Little early in the season, many locations with elevation above 10,000 feet witnessed light to moderate snow. Lower hills and the valley received light rainfall including Srinagar, Banihal, Batote, Qazigund and Katra.
Zoji La , the high mountain pass in Himalayas located in Dras sector also had season’s 1st snowfall. This pass at a height of 11,575 feet and connects the valley with Ladakh.
The higher reaches of Gulmarg, Gurez and Sonmarg also received 2-4 inches of snow. Sadna Top in Karnah and Amarnath cave temple in Anantnag at a height of above 18,000 feet received moderate snow to get whiteout all across. The famous skiing resort Kangdoori in Gulmarg and Machil in Kupwara sector also received thin layer of snow across the ski slopes.
The mercury has suddenly plunged by 5-8 notches at most places, setting chilly conditions across the region. Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded maximum temperature of 5.8°C and 14.8°C, about 10°C and 11°C below the normal. The capital city Srinagar also received 4mm rainfall and dived 8°C below the normal at 16.4°C.
A western disturbance mainly seen as an upper air system has moved across the state resulting early snowfall. Weather conditions are expected to improve quickly and no more snowfall is likely in the next four days between 13th and 16th October.
The cold air in the wake of the system will lead to drop in minimum temperature across the region and may even travel to the foothills like Udhampur, Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts of the state.
