Srinagar, 9 Dec — Large parts of Jammu & Kashmir shivered on Monday as minimum temperatures dipped well below freezing across the Valley, with Pulwama recording the lowest at -5.1°C, according to data compiled by Kashmir Weather. The intense cold tightened its grip on higher reaches, where Zojila Pass plunged to -19.0°C, the coldest in the region.
In Srinagar, the minimum settled at -3.7°C, continuing the spell of severe night frost. “The cold is now firmly set in. Most plains are witnessing temperatures between minus three and minus five degrees,” an official at the meteorological centre said.
Neighbouring districts also saw a sharp drop, with Pampore and Srinagar Airport touching -4.0°C, Budgam sliding to -4.1°C, Awantipora to -4.2°C, and Shopian settling at -5.0°C. Baramulla reported -4.9°C, while Zethan Rafiabad recorded -5.2°C. Tourist destinations too remained frozen: Pahalgam stood at -4.8°C, Gulmarg at -2.5°C, and Sonamarg at -4.5°C.
Parts of south Kashmir such as Kokernag (-0.5°C) and Kulgam (-0.9°C) experienced relatively milder conditions. Data for Anantnag was not available.
In the Jammu region, temperatures stayed above freezing but marked a noticeable chill. Jammu city recorded 7.3°C, while Katra was warmer at 10.1°C. Higher areas saw colder nights, with Banihal at 3.7°C, Udhampur at 2.0°C, Samba at 2.3°C, and Rajouri dropping close to freezing at 0.4°C. Bhaderwah registered 0.9°C, and Ramban and Batote recorded 4.6°C and 6.6°C respectively.
Ladakh remained under severe cold conditions, with Leh recording -8.5°C, Kargil -7.2°C, and Nubra Valley -6.0°C.
A weather department official said another cold wave is likely if clear skies persist. “Cloud cover is what usually gives relief. Under clear conditions, the heat escapes faster, and nights turn colder,” he said.
More updates are expected later in the day from the weather office.
