Srinagar experienced a record-breaking cold wave on December 21st, with the minimum temperature plummeting to a chilling minus 8.5°C, a staggering 6°C below normal. This marked the coldest minimum temperature recorded in Srinagar in the last 50 years, though the all-time record low stands at minus 12.8°C, observed on December 13, 1934.
The arrival of a fresh Western Disturbance temporarily brought some respite, causing a slight increase in the minimum temperature to minus 3.6°C. However, the maximum temperature remained low at 6.6°C. This pattern is typical: Western Disturbances often lead to a temporary rise in minimum temperatures in the Western Himalayan region.
Following the passage of a Western Disturbance, temperatures usually experience a steep decline, often leading to severe cold wave conditions, as witnessed on December 21st.
The current Western Disturbance is expected to bring rain and snow to the hills of the Western Himalayas. Another Western Disturbance is anticipated around December 27th, continuing until December 29th. Consequently, temperatures are projected to drop again from December 25th and rise from December 27th onwards.
Snowfall is crucial for the Western Himalayan region, replenishing the snow cover of mountains and glaciers. Without adequate snowfall, rivers originating from glaciers face the risk of drying up, impacting water availability and ecological balance.
This severe cold wave highlights the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events and underscores the importance of effective preparedness and adaptation strategies to mitigate their impact.