Intermittent rain lashes Kashmir for 3rd day, temp remains above normal

Srinagar, Feb 20: Intermittent rain lashed Kashmir valley, including summer capital, Srinagar for the third successive day today though maximum and minimum temperatures remained above normal. A Met department spokesperson told UNI that light to moderate rain or snow would occur during the next 48 hours in the state.

But, he said during the subsequent four days the weather will remain dry, which could result in dip in the night temperature. After recording above freezing point night temperature for the first time during this winter, the mercury at Leh dipped about three degree and settled at minus 3 degree, making it the coldest place in the region. He said sky will be partly cloudy during the next 24 hours in Leh, where maximum and minimum temperatures will be 8 degree and minus 5 degree. The night temperature at the border town of Kargil witnessed some improvement though it was still below freezing point. Against minus 3 degree recorded yesterday, the night temperature was minus 2 degree. World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, where slopes are under over 10 feet of snow, received fresh 10 mm of rain during the last 24 hours, resulting in dip in the night temperature.

Against minus 1 degree recorded yesterday, the night temperature was minus 1.4 degree, which is about 5 degree above normal. “It is raining in Gulmarg since morning, resulting in chilly weather conditions. But, the chill has not deterred tourists, who are enjoying skiing and picture perfect beauty of the resort,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone. The night temperature in the summer capital, Srinagar, witnessed further improvement though people woke up to overcast skies followed by rain in the afternoon.

Against 4.7 degree recorded yesterday, the night temperature at Srinagar was 5.8 degree, which is about five notches above normal. The spokesperson said there is possibility of light rain and snow during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where maximum and minimum temperature will be around 13 degree and 4 degree respectively. Despite wet weather yesterday, the day temperature recorded was two degree above normal in the summer capital.