Kashmir and Ladakh Shiver as Minimum Temperatures Plunge Below Freezing Point

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 03, 2026 — Severe cold wave conditions continue to grip the region as minimum temperatures remained significantly below freezing across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.

According to the latest meteorological data, Gulmarg recorded the lowest temperature in the valley at -6.5°C, followed closely by the tourist destination of Pahalgam at -5.2°C. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded a low of -1.5°C, while other key areas like Pulwama and Shopian shivered at -3.9°C and -4.7°C, respectively.

In a rare contrast, Kulgam was the only station in the Kashmir region to stay above freezing, recording a minimum of 1.3°C.The Union Territory of Ladakh remains the coldest pocket of the northern belt, with Kargil recording a bone-chilling -11.2°C and Leh plummeting to -10.6°C.

The Nubra Valley also recorded a severe low of -8.2°C. Meanwhile, the Jammu region experienced relatively milder but still chilly conditions;

Jammu city recorded 7.9°C, while Bhaderwah was the only area in the division to see sub-zero temperatures at -1.5°C. High-altitude towns such as Banihal and Rajouri recorded lows of 2.7°C and 3.2°C, respectively, indicating a widespread drop in mercury levels across the entire territory.