Fresh Snowfall In Kashmir: White New Year For Tourists
Key Takeaways
- Fresh snowfall has covered Gulmarg and parts of the Kashmir Valley
- Sub-zero temperatures prevail, with Gulmarg being the coldest
- Snowfall likely to continue through 1st January
- Cold wave conditions expected after system passes
Fresh snowfall has blanketed parts of the Kashmir Valley. The tourist resort of Gulmarg has turned snowy white, with more snowfall in the offing today. Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonemarg, and Srinagar have all plunged to sub-zero temperatures, with Gulmarg being the coldest among these. The ski resort of Gulmarg has transformed into a winter wonderland. Srinagar and Pahalgam are also likely to witness snowfall today. The fresh snowfall has triggered a surge in tourist activity across the Valley. Weather conditions will remain conducive for snowfall on 31st December and 1st January, with improvement expected from 2nd January onwards.
An active western disturbance is approaching the northeast Afghanistan and north Pakistan region. Thick clouds have already surged ahead of the system, covering most parts of the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region. Even the foothills of Jammu & Kashmir have turned cloudy, with rainfall expected at any time during the day. Wintry conditions have also extended to tourist destinations of Manali and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Manali is likely to witness snowfall, while Shimla may receive rainfall. Higher areas of the district, above 10,000 feet, will see fresh snowfall. Scattered rain in lower parts and snowfall in higher reaches is expected over Uttarakhand.
Under the influence of this weather system, overcast skies will cause a drop in day temperatures across hilly states, triggering cold day conditions. Night temperatures are likely to rise slightly but will remain in low single digits, between 1°C and 4°C. The passage of the disturbance will leave behind cold air, resulting in cold wave conditions. Thick fog in patches is also expected during morning hours, clearing later in the day. The capital city Srinagar is likely to witness the first typical snowfall of the season, setting the stage for freezing of Dal Lake within the next 8–10 days.
