Srinagar: The higher reaches of Kashmir Valley experienced the season’s first snowfall while the plains were lashed by light to moderate rains, resulting in a drop in temperature, officials said.
The Sunshine Peak Affarwat, which is at an elevation of 2,650 meters above sea level, in the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and the higher reaches of picturesque Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district received the season’s first snowfall on Friday, an independent weather observer, Faizan Arif, told UNI.
“About 1-2 cm of snowfall has accumulated on the ridges of Sunshine Peak in Gulmarg,” he said and added, “it was lightly snowing currently there.”
He said Sinthan top, Razdan top, Peer ki Gali, and other higher elevations can see a light snowfall during the next 24 hours.
“There are chances of light snow over a few other reaches during tonight,” the Meteorological Centre Srinagar said.
Srinagar and other plains of Kashmir Valley received light to moderate rainfall, resulting in a drop in the temperature.
Kashmir Valley experienced hot and humid weather conditions during the past fortnight, and the change in the weather system brings much needed relief for the people all across.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded an all-time second-highest September maximum temperature at 33.8°C after 54 years on September 22.
The MeT office predicted that the weather will generally remain cloudy today with brief showers during the daytime while a spell of light to moderate rain/thunder at many places towards late night/morning of September 28.
The weather will generally remain dry with a brief spell of rain/thunder at isolated places on September 28 to 30, and from October 1 to 6, the weather will remain dry.
The MeT office has also issued an advisory stating that there is a possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, or gusty winds at isolated places with the possibility of light snow over a few higher reaches tonight.
“Farmers are advised to safely store the harvested crops and resume harvesting and other farm operations from tomorrow,” it said.
Except Gulmarg, the night temperature recorded during the intervening nights of Thursday and Friday was 5 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal, and the day temperature recorded on Thursday was also 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal across the Kashmir valley.
