Fri Jan 02 11:29:53 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Kashmir experienced a drop in minimum temperatures due to clear skies, despite overnight snowfall in tourist hotspots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. While temperatures dipped below freezing in most areas, they remained slightly above normal for this time of year. Gulmarg was the coldest location at -7.0 degrees Celsius. The region is currently in ‘Chilla-e-Kalan,’ a 40-day period of extreme cold, but plains haven’t received snowfall yet. The weather forecast predicts largely dry conditions until January 5th.
News Article:
Kashmir Freezes as Temperatures Dip Despite Snowfall
Srinagar, January 2, 2026 – Kashmir Valley is experiencing a cold snap as minimum temperatures dropped across the region following overnight snowfall in popular tourist destinations.
Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg saw fresh snowfall on Wednesday night, attracting tourists eager to enjoy the winter wonderland. However, clear skies resulted in a decrease in night temperatures throughout the valley.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 0.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, a drop from the previous night’s 2.2 degrees. While below freezing, this is still considered 2.5 degrees Celsius above the normal for this time of year. Gulmarg was the coldest location, plummeting to -7.0 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam recorded -6.2 degrees Celsius.
The region is currently undergoing ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, a traditional 40-day period characterized by extreme cold and frequent snowfall. While the higher reaches have received snow, the plains of the valley have yet to experience any snowfall this season.
The Meteorological Department has forecast largely dry weather for the next few days, until January 5th. Residents and tourists are advised to prepare for continued cold conditions.
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