File pic

Srinagar: After witnessing intermittent moderate to heavy snowfall during the last three days, sun came out on Sunday much to the delight of the people though ice cold winds continued in the Kashmir valley, where the night temperature also improved and settled above normal due to cloudy skies.

Meanwhile, border town of Drass was the coldest place in the region at minus 9.7 degree followed by Leh, where the mercury improved about 5 degree and settled at minus 6.5 degrees.

A Met department spokesperson said that isolated light rain and snow would occur during the next 24 hours in the Kashmir valley. “The weather will turn dry from Monday onwards for 48 hours,” he said.

He said a fresh spell of snow would occur in the valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which will hit the region on January 18.

Even though there was an improvement of about 5 degree from Saturday in the night temperature, the mercury settled at minus 6.5 degree. “Skies will be mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Leh, where maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 4 degree and minus 15 degree, respectively,” he said.

After witnessing improvement in the night temperature due to overcast conditions, sun came out, bringing some relief from chilly weather though ice cold winds continued in the summer capital, Srinagar after three days of light to moderate snow due to a WD from the Arabian Sea. Against minus 0.8 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature in Srinagar was minus 0.4 degree, which is about 2 degree below normal.

He said skies will be mainly clear during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 6 degree and minus 3 degree, respectively.

The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, where the ski slopes are covered under several feet of snow, was the only place in the valley were the night temperature dipped due to open skies. Against minus 6 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature at Gulmarg, which is about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, was minus 9 degree, about a degree below normal.

However, it is bright sunny Sunday in Gulmarg, where tourists, both national and foreigners, were having a blast on the internationally acclaimed ski slopes, which are covered under several feet of snow.

“The tourists are enjoying a sunny day after three days of mesmerizing snowfall. There are many options for tourists now, including skiing, Gondola ride. Once there is more snow, snowboarding attracts people all over the world,” a hotelier said over the phone.

After witnessing an improvement of about 2 degree from Saturday’s night temperature, the weather was chilly in the morning at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir. However, as the day progressed sun came out in the afternoon, improving the maximum temperature. Against minus 4.5 degree recorded on Saturday, the night temperature improved and settled at minus 2.8 degree, 4 degree above normal.

The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and another tourist resort of Kokernag settled at minus 0.9 degree, minus 1.5 degree and 3.3 degree respectively.