Kashmir woke up to a softer, gentler winter on Monday as overcast skies provided a temporary break from the biting cold wave that had gripped the valley for days. According to officials, higher reaches in parts of the region, including the Minimarg area near the iconic Zojila Pass along the Srinagar–Kargil road, witnessed a fresh spell of light snowfall—painting the mountains white once again.
The cloud cover lingering over the valley through the night acted as a natural blanket, pushing up minimum temperatures by nearly two degrees across several districts. Srinagar, which recorded a freezing –4.4°C the previous night, breathed slightly easier at –1.9°C.
Baramulla, however, continued to hold the title of the coldest spot in the valley on Sunday night, dipping to –4.7°C, officials confirmed.
Other regions also showed minor improvements:
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Qazigund: –1.0°C
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Kupwara: –3.2°C
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Kokernag: 0.2°C
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Pahalgam: –0.4°C, a significant rise of more than five degrees
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Gulmarg: 0.3°C, warming by two degrees
For the people of Kashmir, these small shifts in temperature mean a lot—warmer mornings, easier commutes, and a brief pause from the relentless cold. And as fresh snow dusts the higher altitudes, the valley continues its timeless dance between harsh winter and breathtaking beauty, reminding everyone that even the coldest nights make way for gentler dawns.
