Kashmir valley has been experiencing sub-zero minimum temperatures at many places for the last about 30days. Srinagar, Qazigund, Anantnag and Kupwara have recorded minimum temperature between -2°C to -4°C during last one week. Srinagar recorded -2.6°C, lowest so far in the season and Kupwara dipped to -3.8°C today. Pahalgam and Gulmarg have plummeted to -6°C. Gulmarg had earlier measured minimum of -7°C on 06th & 07th December. These temperatures are shade lower than the last year, at this point of time.
The harshest winter period for the Kashmir valley is nearing now. ‘Chillai Kalan’, a 40days long event between 21stDec to 30th Jan is considered as ’ruthless’ for the entire Kashmir valley. Temperatures drop considerably during this period leading to freezing of water bodies including Dal Lake. Persistent and frequent cold wave conditions push the limits of discomfort across the region. Chillai Kalan ends on 31st Jan and is followed by Chillai Khurd, 20 days long event between 31st Jan to 19th February. The last in the series is Chillai- Bachha( baby cold) for 10days, from 20thFeb to 02nd March. Last year, Chillai Kalan was rather harsh and the temperature dropped to -6.6°C in December at Srinagar. In Jan2021, minimum temperature of -8.8°C was recorded on the last day, also the lowest since 1991.
Kashmir valley has not received adequate rain and snow this season so far. Between 01st Nov and 09th Dec 2021, Jammu and Kashmir has been large deficit, as it recorded only 14mm of rain/snow against the normal of 42mm. In addition, no active western disturbance is expected in the next 10 days or even more. Month of December is likely to fall short of its average score by a big margin. The entire Kashmir valley will witness ‘dry cold’ with temperatures sliding below the normal, frequently....
