New Delhi: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh spells of snowfall and rain on Sunday, even as minimum temperatures showed a marginal rise across many northern states, according to weather officials.
In Kashmir, snowfall was reported from higher-altitude areas, including Pahalgam in Anantnag district and the Qazigund region of Kulgam. At the same time, widespread rainfall affected many low-lying and urban areas of south Kashmir, including Srinagar city, bringing a wet start to the day.
Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night, an increase from the previous night’s low of 0.1 degrees Celsius. Despite the slight warming trend, Gulmarg, the popular ski destination in Baramulla district, remained the coldest location in the Union Territory, with temperatures plunging to minus 7 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam registered a minimum temperature of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, improving from minus 2.6 degrees the night before. Qazigund recorded a low of 0.4 degrees, Kokernag touched zero degrees, while Kupwara in north Kashmir settled at minus 1.7 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the region entered the 20-day period known as Chillai Khurd on Saturday, following the end of Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter phase. Officials said Chillai Khurd will be followed by Chillai Bachha, a 10-day period marking the gradual easing of winter.
The IMD has forecast light rain and snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir at several places on February 2 and 3.
Himachal Pradesh also witnessed light snowfall accompanied by rainfall, prompting the weather department to issue a yellow alert for parts of the state. Shillaroo in Shimla district and Kothi in Kullu district received about 5 cm of snow, while Kufri recorded 4 cm. Gondhla village in Lahaul and Spiti saw 3 cm of snowfall, followed by Khadrala in Shimla with 2.5 cm, Sangla in Kinnaur with 2.1 cm, and Kalpa receiving 0.8 cm.
Rainfall was more pronounced in some areas, with Manali recording the highest precipitation at 10 mm. Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district followed with 7.8 mm of rain. Shimla received 4.2 mm, Solan 3.4 mm, Nadaun 2.6 mm, and Nahan 2.4 mm.
The coldest temperature in the state was recorded at minus 3.6 degrees Celsius in Tabo village of Lahaul and Spiti. The weather office said snowfall and rainfall are likely to continue in the middle and higher hill regions on February 2 and 3, while plains and lower hills are expected to remain dry.
Elsewhere in north India, winter conditions showed signs of easing. In Rajasthan, night temperatures in many areas remained above 7 degrees Celsius. Alwar recorded a minimum of 7.2 degrees Celsius, Lunkaransar 7.7 degrees, Pali 8.3 degrees, Jawai Dam 9.6 degrees, and Sri Ganganagar 9.7 degrees.
Ajmer received light rainfall of 1.1 mm over the past 24 hours due to the influence of a western disturbance. Officials said similar weather conditions are likely to persist over the next day.
In Haryana and Punjab, minimum temperatures rose above normal levels in most places. Ambala recorded 12.4 degrees Celsius, Hisar 11 degrees, while Bhiwani and Narnaul dipped to 6 and 6.5 degrees Celsius respectively. Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius.
In Punjab, Amritsar and Gurdaspur experienced colder nights with temperatures of 5.9 and 6 degrees Celsius respectively. Ludhiana recorded 7.6 degrees, Bathinda 8.2 degrees, Faridkot 7.4 degrees, Hoshiarpur 10.1 degrees, and Patiala 10.2 degrees Celsius.
The national capital witnessed a cooler beginning to February compared to last year. On Sunday, Delhi’s maximum temperature settled at 24.6 degrees Celsius, lower than last year’s 26.2 degrees but still above the seasonal average by over two degrees. The minimum temperature stood at 12.1 degrees Celsius, around 3.7 degrees above normal.
Safdarjung, the city’s principal weather station, recorded the highest maximum temperature at 24.6 degrees Celsius, while Palam saw a lower maximum of 22.6 degrees. Relative humidity stood at 82 per cent in the evening.
However, air quality deteriorated during the day, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the “poor” category at 265, after touching “very poor” levels earlier.
The IMD has forecast moderate fog in Delhi on Monday, with temperatures expected to range between 11 degrees Celsius at night and around 21 degrees Celsius during the day.