The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir will likely end as rainfall and snowfall forecast ahead of Chille Kalan. The Meteorological Department (MeT) expects this change in weather between December 18 and 21, bringing respite after nearly two weeks of dry weather.
A MeT official stated that weather conditions are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy from December 18 to 19. These conditions might allow for very light snowfall at isolated higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir.
More significant weather changes loom on the horizon. An active western disturbance will likely affect the region from late-night December 20 to December 21, bringing light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches and accompanying light to moderate rain across many areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
Forecasts indicate that December 22 will see generally cloudy weather, with scattered light rain or snowfall. The weather will remain partly to generally cloudy from December 23 to 29. On December 30 and 31, the region may encounter generally cloudy conditions, with isolated higher reaches experiencing light snowfall.
The Met Department has taken precautionary measures by issuing a snowfall advisory, warning that some higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts may be subjected to moderate to heavy accumulation, particularly on December 21.
“Travellers and transporters should plan their journeys carefully and adhere to all traffic and administrative advisories,” the department advised.
Despite the impending weather changes, temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir have remained unusually high. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 10.6°C, around 1.2°C above average, with a minimum at 0.2°C. Similarly, Gulmarg reported a maximum of 8.8°C, nearly 4°C above normal, and a minimum of 1.6°C.
In north Kashmir, the temperatures reflect similar upward trends: Kupwara recorded a maximum of 10.8°C and a minimum of -1.0°C, while Pahalgam noted maximum and minimum temperatures of 11.2°C and 0.4°C, respectively. Qazigund registered 13.0°C maximum and 0.8°C minimum temperatures.
The Jammu region shows even higher figures, with Jammu city recording a maximum of 22.3°C and a minimum of 11.0°C.
The MeT Department confirmed that no rainfall occurred at any station during the past 24 hours, highlighting the persistent dry spell experienced across the region. As Chille Kalan approaches, residents hold hope for the much-needed moisture that snowfall and rain will bring, marking the end of an unusually warm December.