Gulmarg Finally Receives First Snowfall of the Season: Ready for Tourists!

The elevated areas of the Kashmir Valley finally witnessed a gentle snowfall on Sunday, putting an end to an almost two-month-long dry spell and bringing joy to both residents and tourists. According to the latest reports, popular tourist spots like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Tangmarg, Gurez Valley, Tragbal in Bandipora, and Kernah in Kupwara experienced varying degrees of light to moderate snowfall. At the Gulmarg ski resort, visitors celebrated the snowfall, capturing memorable moments and expressing their delight through playful activities in the snow.

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Srinagar and its nearby regions received light rain, breaking the prolonged period of dry weather and providing relief to the locals. Reports of light rainfall also emerged from various parts of the Kashmir Valley. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar predicts light to moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir in the next 24 hours. The forecast indicates the possibility of light to moderate rain or snow in many places in J&K, with heavy snowfall expected in isolated higher reaches of Kashmir Division, including districts such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian, Anantnag, and Kulgam from Sunday afternoon to late afternoon on January 29.

Moreover, there is a chance of light to moderate rain or snow in several areas from January 30-31, with the possibility of heavy snowfall in some higher reaches. The weather is anticipated to remain generally cloudy with light rain or snow in many places towards late afternoon or evening on February 1-2. Between February 3 and 4, light to moderate rain or snow is forecasted for many places in J&K. The Meteorological Office cautions of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder or lightning in the plains of Jammu Division, accompanied by light snowfall in higher reaches and moderate snowfall in isolated higher reaches from January 28 (night) to January 31 (afternoon).

The advisory includes the potential temporary closure of higher reach roads and crucial passes, such as Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna and Razdan Pass, Zojila, etc., particularly from January 28 to 31. Travelers are advised to plan their trips accordingly. Farmers are also advised to avoid irrigation and fertilizer applications and to drain excess water from orchards and fields during the wet weather period. A significant drop in daytime temperatures is expected during this period.

On Sunday, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 4.3°C above normal, contrasting with the normal -1.0°C. The previous day's minimum temperature in Srinagar was 13.3°C, which was 5.8°C above the seasonal norm. Other valley stations reported low temperatures, with Qazigund at -0.6°C, Pahalgam at -0.8°C, Kupwara at 2.1°C, Kokernag at -0.1°C, and Gulmarg at -3.5°C, according to the Meteorological Office.

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