Srinagar, May 14: Weatherman on Saturday predicted light to moderate rains that may bring the respite from the scorching heat that Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under from the last few days.

On Saturday Srinagar recorded day temperature of 31.3°C which was more than 1.3 degree Celsius than yesterday in the summer capital while Jammu saw maximum 43.5cagainst previous day’s 41.1°C.

“Expect Respite from hot weather especially in plains of Jammu from 16th as a spell of light to moderate rain/thunderstorm is most likely at many places of Jammu & Kashmir during May 16th (evening)-18th(70% chances),” a meteorological department official here said. “At some places, thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds and hailstorm mainly on May 16-17th,” he said, adding, “Thereafter, there’s no forecast of any major rainfall but temperature will again rise gradually from May 19th.”

Meanwhile the official told GNS Srinagar recorded a low of 14.2°C against 14.1°C on the previous night. The temperature, he said, was 3.6°C above normal during this time of the year for the summer capital.

Qazigund recorded a low of 10.2°C against 10.5°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.0°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a minimum of 5.8°C against 7.3°C last night. The temperature was 0.7°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir during this time of the season, he said.

Kokernag recorded a low of 12.6°C against 11.7°C on the previous night. It was 3.3°C above normal during this time of the season for the place in south Kashmir, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 9.0°C against 7.0°C on the previous night, the official said. While 5.5°C is normal for the world famous skiing resort during this time of the season, the official said that the temperature was 3.5 °C above normal for the place in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 10.4°C against 10.9°C on the previous night. The temperature was 0.8°C above normal for the district, the official said.

Jammu recorded a low of 23.3°C against 24.7°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 0.2°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal recorded a low of 14.2°C, Batote 17.9°C and Bhaderwah 13.2°C, the official added.