Winter has made an early appearance in the higher reaches of Kashmir.The upper areas of Gulmarg and Gurez received the season’s first snowfall on Thursday, covering parts of the mountains in a fresh layer of white. At the same time, overnight rain swept across the plains of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, marking a noticeable change in weather conditions.In Gulmarg, the popular ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, snowfall was reported across the higher reaches during the night. The Apharwat area and Gondola Phase 2 were among the spots to receive snow, with a thin white layer settling over the landscape.Gurez Valley also saw its first snowfall of the season, with Kabul Gali in Tulail turning white as temperatures dipped.
Kabul Gali gets its first taste of winter
The snowfall transformed the high-altitude landscape of Tulail, where the rugged mountain slopes were covered with fresh snow.Kabul Gali is among the higher reaches of the Gurez sector, meaning colder conditions and snowfall can arrive here earlier than in the lower parts of the valley.The fresh snow added a distinctly wintry look to the otherwise green mountain landscape, giving travellers an early glimpse of what the coming colder months could bring.Snow was also reported from Tulail Valley and other high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, although the intensity varied across locations.
Rain continues in Kashmir Valley
While the mountains turned white, the plains saw rain.Overnight showers affected several parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar. The India Meteorological Department has forecast fairly widespread light rain or thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.The weather is expected to settle from Friday, with mainly dry conditions likely across the region.
First snowfall brings a winter-like chill
The snowfall has brought a noticeable drop in temperatures across the upper reaches of Gurez and Gulmarg.For residents and travellers in these high-altitude areas, the change also means colder conditions and potentially more difficult travel on mountain routes. Temperatures can fall quickly after snowfall, particularly at higher elevations.For now, though, the season’s first snow has transformed parts of north Kashmir into a striking winter landscape, even as the rest of the Valley waits for colder weather to fully arrive.
