Kashmir and Ladakh Weather Update: Sub-Zero Freeze Grips Region as Leh and Gulmarg Record Lowest Temperatures

SRINAGAR/LADAKH, January 5, 2026: The intense winter cold wave tightened its grip across Northern India today, with sub-zero temperatures persisting throughout the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region, while a sharp seasonal chill began to penetrate parts of the Jammu division.

Data compiled by Kashmir Weather highlights a significant drop in mercury, with Leh in Ladakh emerging as one of the coldest inhabited places in the territory at a freezing -9.6°C. Not far behind, the famous ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of -8.8°C, reflecting the severe atmospheric conditions currently prevailing over the high-altitude terrains. In the Kashmir Valley, other districts also faced harsh frost, with Shopian recording -5.6°C, Pahalgam at -4.8°C, and Srinagar city shivering at -3.6°C.The cooling trend has also significantly impacted the Jammu region, where mountainous areas are now witnessing temperatures well below the freezing point.

While Jammu city maintained a minimum of 8.7°C, the peripheral towns of Bhaderwah and Banihal saw temperatures dip to -2.1°C and -1.3°C, respectively.

In the frontier region of Ladakh, the cold remains unrelenting as Kargil recorded -8.4°C and the Nubra Valley reached -7.5°C. This widespread thermal dip has led to the freezing of small water bodies and localized frost on roadways, prompting weather officials to advise residents and travelers to remain cautious of the biting conditions as the winter season reaches its peak intensity.