Srinagar, Jan 01: A cold wave gripped Jammu and Kashmir on the first day of 2026, with light to moderate snowfall reported in several higher reaches of the region. As per the MeT Centre Srinagar, Sadhna Pass received 6 inches of snow, while Gurez and Tulail area got 8-12 inches, making it a perfect start to the new year for winter sports enthusiasts.
Sonamarg and Zojila axis received 5-8 inches of snow, while Gulmarg got 2 inches, and Mughal road and Sinthan top received 2-4 inches. Higher reaches of Pahalgam also witnessed 2 inches of snow, and many places in Jammu Div saw light rain.
The weather forecast for the next few days indicates generally cloudy conditions with light rain or snow at scattered places in Kashmir and Jammu divisions on January 1. The region is expected to remain generally dry from January 2-5.
However, travellers and transporters are advised to follow traffic and admin advisories, as moderate fog is expected over plains of Jammu Div, with dense fog at isolated places during the next 3 days.
The extended range forecast suggests no major Western disturbances till January 20, except for a few feeble WDs, with partly cloudy conditions expected from January 7-15.
