Srinagar: As the Kashmir Valley grapples with dense morning fog for the second consecutive day, meteorological experts attribute the phenomenon to the absence of crucial wet spells during the 40-day Chillai Kalan, the harshest winter period.
Speaking to The Himalayan Post, Dr. Sonam Lotus, the senior weather expert overseeing the Meteorological Division in Ladakh, elaborated on the situation stating that similar conditions will prevail for the next few days as the valley is witnessing deficient wet spells, pointing to factors such as freezing temperatures, low humidity, and a lack of western disturbances contributing to the dense smog.
"Given the prevailing dry weather, we anticipate the morning fog to linger over the next few days,” he said.
“The chances of precipitation at upper reaches of valley are also low till 30th of December which means no chances of rainfall for the plains,” he added.
Photogrph By Zubair Hameed
He stressed the concerning trend of Dry chilly winters observed in the Kashmir Valley over the past two years, leading to irregular snowfall in both the plains and higher elevations and disrupting the region's traditional weather cycle.
“The decline of snowfall particularly in ‘Chillai Kalan’ is beating the weather cycle of Kashmir valley,” he said further.
Meanwhile, official data from the Meteorological Department revealed chilling temperatures across the region.
Photo By Zubair Hameed
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -3.0°C alongside morning fog, while Qazigund in south Kashmir reported -3.0°C. Pahalgam, the renowned tourist resort, experienced a minimum temperature of -4.7°C, and Kokernag recorded -2.0°C.
In North Kashmir, Kupwara recorded a minimum temperature of -3.5°C, and Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, noted -3.4°C.