As reiterated by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, a feeble Western Disturbance in Jammu and Kashmir has given widespread but short spell of rain in the state. The rainfall started around midnight of March 24 and lasted for about 2-3 hours only, clearing completely thereafter.
In last 24 hours from 8.30 am on Tuesday, Gulmarg recorded 16.4 mm of rain. Pahalgam received 12 mm of rain, while the state capital Srinagar and Kupwara recorded 10.6 mm and 8.3 mm of rain, respectively. Some snow was also observed in the state but in the glaciers only.
The spell of rain is expected to marginally pull down the temperatures in the region. In absence of any weather system the temperatures had shot up in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 2-3 days. For instance Banihal, which is on a higher elevation failed to maintain cool temperature as the maximum settled at 25.8°C on Tuesday, which is 9 degrees above normal. Similarly situation was observed in other places of higher elevation. Batote recorded 26.5°C as the day temperature, which is 10 degrees above normal. Gulmarg, Kukernag, Kupwara and Pahalgam also saw the maximum settle 7-9 degrees above normal on an average. Usually we don’t observe such high temperatures in these places during this time. The minimum temperature has also been recording 5-7 degrees above normal.
However, a marginal drop in temperatures are expected due to the rain. The maximums will not change much as clear skies will allow ample sunshine but the minimums will drop by 2-3 degrees. The day time will still feel warm. A major change in the temperatures can be expected by March 28 as another weather system is expected in the region, which is likely to give good spell of rain for 2-3 days. Till then the temperatures in the state will hover around the same range.
