J&K Weather Update: Minimum Temperatures Plummet Across Kashmir, Jammu, and Ladakh

SRINAGAR/LADAKH , 30 December :- A cold wave continues to grip the region as minimum temperatures saw a significant dip across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh today. In the Kashmir Valley, the famous hill station of Pahalgam emerged as the coldest spot with a low of -1.2°C, followed closely by the ski resort of Gulmarg at -1.6°C. The summer capital, Srinagar, recorded a minimum of 1.0°C, while temperatures hovered near freezing in Pulwama (-1.1°C) and Shopian (0.2°C). Most other stations in the valley, including Kupwara (2.0°C) and Qazigund (1.4°C), remained slightly above the freezing mark, maintaining a biting chill throughout the night.

In the Jammu Region, the weather remained relatively warmer but chilly, with the winter capital Jammu recording 8.6°C. Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi shrine, stayed at 9.8°C, while Udhampur and Rajouri saw lows of 6.4°C and 6.6°C respectively. Notably, Kishtwar witnessed a sharp drop, recording a sub-zero temperature of -1.5°C, making it the coldest area in the Jammu division.

Other high-altitude towns like Bhaderwah (3.8°C) and Banihal (5.0°C) also experienced a cold night.

The Union Territory of Ladakh remains the coldest pocket in the country. Leh shivered at a freezing -8.4°C, while Kargil recorded a low of -7.9°C. The Nubra Valley also stayed deep in the negatives at -4.2°C, signaling the arrival of peak winter conditions across the Himalayan plateau.