Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Amid an overnight cloud cover and mild showers, cold conditions eased in Kashmir valley giving respite to the locals. Barring a few places, the valley recorded above zero temperatures. As predicted by the local meteorological department, Kashmir valley woke up to mild showers on Saturday morning with Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of 1.2°C against minus 3.3°C on previous night.
Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir recorded a minimum of 1.4°C against minus 3.3°C on the previous night, the meteorological department official said. Pahalgam, the tourist destination in south Kashmir's Anantnag district recorded a low of 0.2°C against minus 4.8°C on the previous night. Skiing destination Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.5°C against minus 1.0°C on the previous night which was 4.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a minimum of 10.5°C against 8.5°C on previous night, and it was below normal by 2.0°C for the winter capital of J&K. Kashmir valley is currently reeling under intense cold wave in the ongoing ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the harshest period of winter in the valley. The 'Chillai-Kalan' begins on Dec 21 and ends on January 30.