As the 40-day period of intense winter, Chillai Kalan, ends on Friday, night temperatures across Kashmir have increased, offering partial relief from severe cold conditions. The Meteorological Department officials reported a noticeable rise in minimum temperatures in several regions.
In the city of Srinagar, the night temperature settled at 1.3 degrees Celsius, marking a significant increase from the previous night’s minus 0.6 degrees. This temperature also stands at 2.2 degrees above the seasonal average, indicating a marked improvement for residents.
Other areas within the Valley similarly recorded above-freezing night temperatures. Konibal registered a low of 1.0 degrees Celsius, Pulwama recorded 0.1 degrees, and Kulgam noted a minimum of 1.1 degrees. Most weather stations across the region reported temperatures above normal for this time of year.
Despite the rise in temperatures in many low-lying areas, severe cold conditions persisted in higher altitude regions. Sonamarg in Ganderbal district remained the coldest, recording minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, although this was slightly better than the previous night’s minus 11.2 degrees. In Gulmarg, a popular ski resort, temperatures dipped to minus 9 degrees while Pahalgam in southern Kashmir saw minus 5.3 degrees.
Other noteworthy stations included Qazigund, which recorded minus 0.3 degrees Celsius; Kokernag at minus 0.6 degrees; and Kupwara with minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.
Chillai Kalan is traditionally regarded as the coldest period in Kashmir’s winter, marked by frequent snowfall in the higher elevations. Its conclusion indicates a shift to the next stage, the 20-day Chillai Khurd (small cold), which is then succeeded by the 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby cold), involving milder weather patterns.
As the winter season transitions, the Meteorological Department forecasts a fresh western disturbance expected to affect the region beginning Sunday. This disturbance may bring another spell of wet weather.
