The cold spell returns in the form of snow and ice. Kashmir rain cool

SRINAGAR: Humid weather has brought chill to the Kashmir Valley, lowering the temperature in the region, prompting people to turn to warm clothing and traditional and electric hammams for relief. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 14.9°C on Tuesday. Gulmarg and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall on Wednesday, further leading to a drop in mercury.The weather service predicted “unstable” weather until March 20 in its Wednesday night forecast.Snowfall in Pir Ki Gali along the Mughal Road led to the closure of the route. Plains including Srinagar were lashed by rains which continued till Wednesday evening. Historian Khalid Bashir described the weather as “a tranquility along the Jhelum River, a gentle gift from Wednesday’s humidity”.Dozens of tourists were spotted taking selfies in Gulmarg, with many expressing surprise at the snowfall in March. “We didn’t expect snow at this time. Once, we saw the tulip gardens in Srinagar and saw snowfall,” said a tourist.The plunge in mercury levels contrasts with last month’s drought in Kashmir, which has raised concerns. The summer capital Srinagar recorded its hottest February temperature on record, with the maximum temperature on February 22 being 21°C, 10°C above normal. A day later, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for the introduction of artificial snow in Gulmarg to sustain tourism activity.In February, independent forecaster Faizan Arif said Srinagar’s all-time February record was 20.6°C, which was observed on February 24, 2016. He said the Feb. 22 reading officially made it the hottest February day on record in the city.The Met Office said on Wednesday that the weather is expected to remain cloudy, with intermittent light to moderate rain or snowfall in many places. Moderate to heavy snowfall is likely to occur in some higher areas of Chenab Valley in south Jammu Division and Kashmir. Weather conditions are likely to improve between March 21 and 25, with generally dry conditions expected. However, the possibility of short-term rain or snow in some areas on March 23 cannot be ruled out.From March 18 to 20, heavy rain and snow may occur in some areas, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds (speeds of 40-50 kilometers per hour) and local hail. Rain and heavy snow may occur in some areas, accompanied by showers and strong winds (speeds of 40-50 kilometers per hour). Localized hail may occur in some areas. Travelers who plan to visit high-altitude areas and key passes are advised to make plans. The department urged farmers to suspend operations during this period.