Kashmir , Jan 16 : Cold weather persisted across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday, with several parts of the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.
Pulwama emerged as the coldest place in the Valley, recording a minimum temperature of minus 4.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Shopian at minus 3.9 degrees. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the temperature at Srinagar airport dropped further to minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.
In south Kashmir, tourist destination Pahalgam recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the ski resort in north Kashmir, registered minus 2.3 degrees. Anantnag and Awantipora both recorded lows of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius. Kupwara recorded minus 1.4 degrees, while Bandipora saw a minimum of minus 0.7 degrees Celsius. Baramulla and Ganderbal remained slightly above freezing at 0.4 degrees and 0.1 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In the Jammu region, temperatures stayed above freezing levels. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 4.7 degrees Celsius. Banihal recorded 2.9 degrees, Bhaderwah 2.0 degrees, Udhampur 3.0 degrees and Kathua 3.8 degrees Celsius.
Ladakh continued to experience severe cold conditions. Leh recorded a minimum temperature of minus 8.8 degrees Celsius, while Hanle was colder at minus 11.2 degrees. Kargil recorded minus 8.3 degrees Celsius and the Nubra Valley minus 7.1 degrees Celsius.
Weather officials said a Western Disturbance is likely to impact Jammu and Kashmir from late Friday afternoon. Light snowfall is expected over higher reaches, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, as well as over mountain passes during the evening hours.
The plains of the Kashmir Valley are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with the possibility of light rain or very light snowfall at isolated locations.
