Srinagar, Nov 12: Higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall while rainfall lashed several parts of the plains on Wednesday, as the Meteorological Department forecast an intensification of wet weather across Jammu and Kashmir over the next two days.
Fresh snowfall was reported from Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Zojila Pass, Peer Ki Gali along the Mughal Road and Gurez Valley, following which authorities suspended vehicular movement on the Mughal Road as a precautionary measure due to slippery road conditions.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall at most places across Jammu and Kashmir, accompanied by light to moderate snowfall in higher reaches from November 12 to 13.
According to the forecast, Poonch and adjoining areas may receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal are likely to experience moderate to heavy snowfall. The main activity is expected from the forenoon of November 12 until late night on November 13.
Isolated areas may also witness thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds during the period.
Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said the main weather activity would intensify from November 12 and continue through November 13, affecting both plains and mountainous areas.
The weather system is also expected to bring a considerable fall in daytime temperatures, with maximum temperatures likely to drop by 6–8 degrees Celsius during the two days.
Meanwhile, temperatures across much of Kashmir remained above the seasonal average on Wednesday.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 19.2 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 7.7 degrees Celsius, 5.8 degrees above the seasonal average.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 19.8 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal, while its minimum temperature was 6.1 degrees Celsius.
In Pahalgam, the maximum temperature settled at 16.2 degrees Celsius against the normal of 14.5 degrees, while the minimum was recorded at 3.4 degrees Celsius, 4.4 degrees above normal.
Kupwara recorded a maximum of 18.6 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal, and a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius. Kokernag registered a maximum of 18.1 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 6.5 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg was the coldest among the Valley’s weather stations in terms of maximum temperature, recording 8.4 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal. Its minimum temperature settled at 0.5 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded a maximum of 27.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.5 degrees Celsius, while Katra registered 25.5 degrees Celsius and 15.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The Meteorological Department has advised farmers to safely store harvested crops during November 12 and 13 to avoid damage from rainfall.
It has also cautioned that moderate to heavy snowfall in higher reaches could disrupt traffic over important mountain passes and hilly roads. Tourists, travellers and transporters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and follow official traffic advisories before heading towards vulnerable areas.
The department has forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir from November 14 to 20, although brief spells of light rain or snowfall may occur at isolated places on November 14 and 15.
