Srinagar: Rain and snowfall are likely across Jammu and Kashmir from March 15 as a series of Western Disturbances are set to affect the region over the next few days, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday.
According to reports, the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has predicted that erratic weather conditions will continue till March 20, with intermittent rain in plains and snowfall in higher reaches.
The first Western Disturbance is expected to influence the region from March 15, bringing light to moderate rain and snowfall at many places on March 15 and 16.
Higher altitude areas such as Gulmarg and Sonamarg are likely to receive fresh snowfall, while some mountain passes may record snowfall ranging from about six inches to nearly two feet during the 48-hour period.
Officials said daytime temperatures are likely to fall from the afternoon of March 15 and may remain 5 to 8 degrees Celsius below normal on March 16.
Two more western disturbances are expected to affect the region from late evening of March 17 to March 20, bringing intermittent spells of rain or snowfall at several places.
Weather conditions are likely to remain mostly dry between March 21 and 23, while scattered rain or snowfall in higher reaches may occur again on March 24 and 25, officials said.
The department has advised travellers and transporters, especially those moving through higher reaches and mountain passes, to plan their travel accordingly.
“Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also possible at a few places during March 15 and 16. Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations between March 15 and March 20,” the MeT said.
Temperature data released by the weather office on Saturday stated that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 19.4 degrees Celsius, about four degrees above normal, while Jammu recorded 29.7 degrees Celsius, around four degrees above normal.
The minimum temperature settled at 4.4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, while Gulmarg recorded minus 0.6 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, an independent weather monitoring group, Kashmir Weather, said three western disturbances are expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir in quick succession from March 15.
“Widespread rain and snowfall activity is expected on March 15 and 16, with higher reaches likely to receive fresh snowfall. Two more Western Disturbances may bring intermittent showers from March 17 to March 20 with breaks between spells,” it said in its update.
