Seasonal Changes: Jammu Colder Than Kashmir Amid a Dry, Fading Winter
Missing rain, snowfall flip winter norms, raising worries for water and farms across J&K
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: Jammu City Monday recorded a colder day than most parts of Kashmir, reflecting the growing unpredictability of this winter. The maximum temperature in Jammu settled at 9.6°C, while Srinagar recorded a warmer 12.4°C. Other parts of the Valley also remained relatively mild, with Qazigund at 13.9°C, Kupwara at 10.7°C, Pahalgam at 10.8°C and Kokernag at 11.5°C.
The unusual temperature pattern comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is facing a prolonged dry spell and a clear deficit in rain and snowfall. Many areas that normally receive snowfall by this time of the season remain dry, leaving mountains bare and rivers thinner than usual.
Independent weatherman Faizan Arif said the main reason behind the dry winter is the absence of strong western disturbances, which are the primary source of winter precipitation in the region. He said clear skies have allowed daytime temperatures in Kashmir to rise, while the lack of cloud cover has kept Jammu cooler during the day.
Arif warned that the continued shortage of rain and snowfall could have long-term effects. He said snowfall acts as a natural water reserve, slowly releasing water in spring and summer. A prolonged deficit, he cautioned, can affect water availability, agriculture and horticulture, particularly apple orchards that depend on adequate winter chill.
In Kashmir, the lack of snow has worried farmers and orchardists, as soil moisture continues to decline and natural water sources weaken. In Jammu, dry conditions have affected crops and increased dust levels, adding to the stress faced by rural communities.
Weather experts say such winters are becoming more frequent due to changing climate patterns, making seasons less predictable. For now, people across Jammu and Kashmir are watching the skies, hoping for rain or snowfall to break the dry spell and restore some balance to a winter that feels increasingly out of place.
