![](https://www.koshurdude.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/kashmir-shikaras-and-boats-row-in-the-frozen-part-of-dal-lake-on-the-first-day-of-chillai-kalan-the-40-day-harshest-winter-period-in-kashmir-in-srinagar-umar-ganie-7-scaled6167623789180262351-1024x643.jpg)
Severe cold conditions continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir with summer capital of the Valley recording a low of minus 5.2°C on the first day of the new year on Monday.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 3.6°C against minus 2.6°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 0.7°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.7°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.9°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 1.7°C against minus 1.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 1.8°C for the place, the official said.
Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and the temperature was 3.5°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Banihal recorded a low of minus 0.8°C, Batote 3.1°C and Bhaderwah 0.6°C, he said.
Kashmir valley is under ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter, which will end on January 30. However it does not mean an end to the winter. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1.
Weatherman has predicted mainly dry weather till January 3. From January 4-5, he said, generally cloudy and dry weather is expected. “Overall no significant weather activity is expected till January 5.” (GNS)