SRINAGAR: Weatherman on Wednesday forecast “extended wet spell” in Jammu and Kashmir from Saturday night onwards till afternoon of February 21.

 “A couple of moderate to intense Western Disturbances most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from February 17 afternoon onwards,” a meteorological department official here told GNS.

Under the influence of the weather Systems, he said, an “extended wet spell” is likely from February 17 (night) onwards till February 21 (Afternoon) most likely over J&K and adjoining areas.

In Kashmir Valley, he said, partly to generally cloudy with possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches is expected towards late Saturday night.

On February 18, he said, generally cloudy weather with possibility of light to moderate rain and snow is expected at many places.

From February 19-20, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at most places (plains and lower reaches) with possibility of heavy snowfall over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam, Shopian and Kulgam districts during late afternoon of February 19 to February 20 late night.

From February 21, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate snow at many places till afternoon and late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter.

Regarding Jammu division, he said, there is possibility of light rain and snow at many places on Sunday.

 From 19th-20th Feb, there is possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder/lightning in plains of Jammu Division with light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches and heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar.”

On February 21, he said, light to moderate snow/rain/thunder/lightning is expected over many places till late afternoon and evening and gradual improvement thereafter.

The MeT office also issued advisory, saying that the system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan pass, Zojila etc.

“Travellers are advised to plan accordingly,” the MeT official said, adding, “farmers are advised to withheld irrigation and fertilizer application and drain out excess water from Orchards and fields during the above period.”

He said significant drop in day temperature is expected during the period.

Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.0°C against previous night’s minus 2.0°C and it was below normal by 3.2°C for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 2.0°C against minus 1.2°C on the previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.2°C against minus 5.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.2°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 0.2°C against minus 0.3°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 1.3°C for the place, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against minus 4.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 4.2°C against minus 4.5°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 2.0°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 8.1°C and it was below normal by 2.0°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of 4.2°C, Batote 0.6°C and Bhaderwah 1.6°C, he said.

As ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter ended on January 29, Kashmir is presently in the middle of 20-day-long winter period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that ends on February 19 and is followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which starts from February 20 to March 1. (GNS)

SSRINAGAR: Weather department here on Saturday said that a fresh spell of intermittent light to moderate rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches was very likely in J&K during 16 -20th with main activity on Monday and Tuesday.

“During this wet spell, thunderstorms with strong gusty wind reaching (20-30KMPH) and hailstorms are also possible at some places of Jammu and Kashmir,” a meteorological department official here told GNS.

This wet spell is due to the approaching of a fresh Western Disturbance over North India, he said.

He said there is a possibility of temporary disruption of surface transportation especially over hilly and snowbound areas.

There could be waterlogging in low lying areas as well as damage to orchards. “There is likely to be abrupt fall in day temperature by 7-8°C.”

Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 9.1°C against 9.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C above normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 6.2°C against 6.0°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 4.6°C against 3.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 10.6°C against 9.4°C on the previous night and it was 4.5°C above normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 7.0°C against 5.4°C on the previous night and it was 5.5°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 6.2°C against 5.6°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 21.2°C against 20.3°C on the previous night. It was 2.0°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 9.3°C (above normal by 1.1°C), Batote 13.2°C (above normal by 2.7°C), Katra 19.4°C (2.9°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 8.9°C (1.9°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 0.2°C and 3.3°C respectively, he said. (GNS)