![](https://www.koshurdude.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Wheater-Update-Kashmir-AGe.jpg)
As Jammu and Kashmir awaits snowfall and rains amid forecast by meteorological department, the minimum temperature fell below freezing point in the valley on Monday, officials said.
A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against last night’s 1.0°C. Today’s minimum temperature, he said, was 1.1°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 1.0°C against 0.2°C on the previous night and it was 2.9°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 4.7°C against minus 6.3°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of minus 2.7°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night and it was 0.9°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at minus 2.9°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night and it was normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 6.5°C against 7.1°C on the previous night. It was 0.5°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 12.6°C and minus 16.6°C respectively, the official said.
Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It does not mean an end to the winter either. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
“Widespread moderate snow/(rain in Jammu) & moderate to heavy snow over middle and higher reaches of J&K very likely from evening of January 24th to 25th,” he said, adding, “On January 26-28th, weather is expected to be partly to generally cloudy with light snow/rain at isolated places.”
From 29-30 January, MeT forecast widespread moderate to heavy rain and snow.