Kashmir and Ladakh Shiver as Temperatures Plummet; Pulwama Records -4.6°C

Srinagar /Leh January 16, 2026 — The intense winter cold wave tightened its grip across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh today, with the mercury plunging several degrees below the freezing point in most stations.

According to the latest data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Pulwama in South Kashmir emerged as the coldest spot in the Valley, recording a bone-chilling minimum temperature of -4.6°C. The summer capital, Srinagar, saw the mercury dip to -1.5°C, while the Srinagar Airport and Awantipora both recorded a sharp -2.8°C.

Popular tourist destinations were not spared, with the famous health resort of Pahalgam recording -2.6°C and the ski resort of Gulmarg settling at -2.3°C. Other notable lows in the Kashmir region included Shopian at -3.9°C and Anantnag at -2.8°C, highlighting a widespread freeze across the plains and hills alike.

The high-altitude frontier region of Ladakh continues to experience the most extreme conditions, with Hanle recording a staggering low of -11.2°C. The cold wave remained unforgiving across the plateau as Leh registered -8.8°C, Kargil hit -8.3°C, and the Nubra Valley dropped to -7.1°C.

These sub-zero extremes have led to the freezing of several small water bodies and have significantly impacted morning activities across the Union Territory. Residents are bracing for continued dry but freezing weather as the winter season reaches its peak intensity.

In contrast, the Jammu region experienced relatively higher but still brisk temperatures. Jammu city recorded a low of 4.7°C, though the Jammu Airport area was noticeably colder at 3.2°C. Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi shrine, remained the warmest spot in the region at 8.8°C, while Bhaderwah and Banihal shivered at 2.0°C and 2.9°C respectively.

Other districts like Udhampur and Kathua saw minimums of 3.0°C and 3.8°C, indicating a sharp chill persisting throughout the winter corridor connecting the plains to the mountainous hinterlands.