Jammu & Kashmir Weather : Unseasonably Warm Days in Jammu & Kashmir Hint at Early Summer Start
Srinagar, January 24 : Jammu & Kashmir is experiencing an unusual spell of warm days, evoking memories of early summer. Across the region, the sun shone brightly today, and Kashmir’s plains remain devoid of snow—a stark departure from typical winter conditions.
While the minimum temperatures are still below freezing, signaling the ongoing cold wave in higher altitudes, the absence of snow in the plains has raised eyebrows. In Srinagar, the minimum temperature was recorded at -3.3°C, while prominent hill stations such as Gulmarg and Sonamarg witnessed further drops to -8.5°C and -9.8°C, respectively. In the treacherous Zojila Pass, the mercury plunged to an extreme -28.0°C.
Other notable temperatures included:
- Pahalgam: -7.0°C
- Qazigund: -4.9°C
- Larnoo: -5.1°C
Jammu Registers Warmer Conditions
Compared to Kashmir, Jammu witnessed relatively higher temperatures. The Jammu city recorded a minimum temperature of 6.1°C, while Katra reported 8.2°C. The coldest area in the Jammu region was Padar, where the temperature dipped to -4.4°C, followed by Bhaderwah at 0.5°C.
Extreme Chill Continues in Ladakh
In Ladakh, severe cold conditions persist. Leh and Kargil both recorded a biting minimum temperature of -11.8°C, while the frigid town of Drass, often referred to as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, experienced temperatures plunging to -22.4°C.
A Winter Out of the Ordinary
The unusual warmth during the day and the lack of snow in Kashmir’s plains have left locals and experts puzzled. Traditionally, this time of the year is marked by heavy snowfall, particularly in the valley’s plains, but 2025’s winter is defying norms. The combination of bright sunshine and low precipitation has created conditions more akin to spring than mid-winter.
Meteorologists Monitor Trends
Meteorological experts are closely monitoring these deviations. While higher altitudes remain ensnared in biting cold, the plains’ lack of snow has disrupted typical winter patterns. These trends could point to broader changes in weather behavior, potentially linked to global climate variations.
