Srinagar, Jan 26: The higher altitudes of the Kashmir Valley, including the renowned ski resort of Gulmarg, witnessed a light snowfall, leading to the closure of Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Ladakh Road on Friday. Mughal Road, connecting south Kashmir’s Shopian with the districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu division, and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road, connecting Ladakh, were temporarily shut as a precautionary measure due to fresh snow accumulation, as reported by traffic police on X.
Gulmarg, a popular destination for both locals and tourists, celebrated the overnight light snowfall, marking the end of a prolonged dry spell in the valley. Other upper reaches, including Yusmarg, Gurez, Banihal, Sedow, Padpawan, Shopian’s Herpora areas, and Karnah in north Kashmir, also experienced light snowfall.
While dry weather persisted in the plains and other parts of Kashmir, there was a notable increase in nighttime temperatures. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar reported light rain and snow in a few higher reaches over the past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir. The forecast indicates partly to generally cloudy weather with light rain or snow at isolated higher reaches until afternoon, followed by improvement later in the day.
On January 27, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with the potential for light snow at isolated higher reaches in the late evening. Further, from January 28 to 29, there is a likelihood of light to moderate rain or snow at many places across Jammu and Kashmir. The period from January 30 to February 3 may see light to moderate rain or snow in numerous locations.
The weather office issued an advisory cautioning that this weather system might lead to the temporary closure of roads in higher reaches and significant passes, including Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan Pass, Zojila, etc., particularly during January 28–31. Travelers are advised to plan accordingly.
Night temperatures in the Kashmir Valley improved on Friday, with Srinagar recording a low of -0.5°C, an increase from the previous night’s 3.6°C. Daytime temperatures in the plains of Jammu Division are expected to rise, and visibility is set to improve. The weather conditions are gradually changing, bringing relief from the prolonged dry spell in the region.
