Srinagar- The higher reaches of Kashmir received the season’s first snowfall on Saturday, while several parts of the plains experienced brief spells of rain accompanied by hailstorms and gusty winds, signalling the gradual transition towards autumn.
Snowfall was reported from the mountainous areas around Zojila Pass, Gumri, Gulmarg and the Pir Panjal range. Fresh snow was also seen at Mahadev Peak, while reports of snowfall emerged from Kaobal Gali and Tulail Valley.
According to weather officials, the snowfall remained confined to the extreme higher reaches, generally around 3,900 metres and above.
“Snowfall today has remained confined to around 3900 metres and above. This was expected as the prediction for extreme higher reaches was already shared,” an independent weatherman said.
He added that snowfall over the extreme higher reaches, even during short spells, can indicate the onset of autumn and the gradual withdrawal of the monsoon season.
Parts of Srinagar and adjoining areas received rainfall during the morning and afternoon, with hailstorms and gusty winds reported at some places.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s evening weather bulletin, Srinagar recorded 0.4 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. Pahalgam received 2.6 mm, Qazigund 1 mm, Kukernag 1.2 mm and Gulmarg 7.2 mm during the same period.
Katra recorded no rainfall during the day, though 42.6 mm of rain was recorded there in the preceding 24 hours.
The showers brought down daytime temperatures across Kashmir.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 26.6 degrees Celsius, which was 1.2 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 17.2 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees above normal.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 23.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 13.4 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg recorded 19 degrees and 7.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In Jammu, the maximum temperature stood at 32.7 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, while the minimum was 23.4 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degrees below normal.
The weather system has now largely cleared the Jammu and Kashmir region. However, a brief spell of rain or thundershowers is possible at a few places on Sunday, particularly during the morning and afternoon hours.
The Meteorological Department has forecast mostly dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir thereafter till September 12.
The first snowfall over Kashmir’s extreme higher reaches at this time of the year is regarded as a seasonal indicator, coinciding with the gradual transition towards autumn and the withdrawal of the monsoon season.
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