Cold conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday, with several places in the Kashmir valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, officials said.
According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Sonamarg emerged as the coldest place in the Kashmir region, recording a minimum temperature of minus 8.3 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, registered a low of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded minus 1.8 degrees Celsius.
In Srinagar, the minimum temperature settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while the airport area recorded a lower minimum of minus 3.8 degrees Celsius. Other parts of the valley also witnessed freezing temperatures, with Pulwama recording minus 5.1 degrees Celsius, Shopian minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, Anantnag minus 3.9 degrees Celsius and Awantipora minus 4.2 degrees Celsius.
Kupwara and Budgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius and minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Baramulla and Bandipora both settled at minus 1.4 degrees Celsius.
Pampore recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius and Sopore minus 3.0 degrees Celsius.
Kokernag and Ganderbal recorded comparatively higher minimums of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius and minus 0.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In the Jammu region, minimum temperatures remained above the freezing point in most areas.
Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.3 degrees Celsius, while Jammu airport recorded 8.2 degrees Celsius. Banihal recorded a low of 0.7 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah dipped below freezing at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
In Ladakh, severe cold conditions prevailed with Hanle recording the lowest temperature at minus 14.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Leh at minus 8.0 degrees Celsius and Kargil at minus 6.6 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has forecast continued cold conditions in the region over the coming days.(KNS)
