Srinagar records ‘warmest’ day in January in 14 Years

Srinagar, Jan 13: Unusual weather pattern continues in Jammu and Kashmir this winter as Srinagar recorded maximum of 15.0°C on weekend, the “warmest” day in 14 years in the middle of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, vernacularly considered the harshest period of winter period which is ending on January 30.
A meteorological department official here said that not only Srinagar, maximum temperature at many stations recorded 6-8°C above normal with highest maximum temperature recorded over Banihal station at 20.8°C followed by Srinagar (15°C) while Jammu recorded 8.9°C.
He said today’s temperature was the sixth highest record temperature in over a century as Srinagar recorded 15.1°C on 23 January 2003, 15.5°C on 9 January 1976, 15.7°C on 31 January 2001, 15.8°C on 25 January 2010 and 17.2°C on 23 January 1902.
Many stations have recorded unusually warm temperature this season as mercury rose to 23.4°C on January 11 this year which was the highest ever maximum temperature for the place.
The weatherman has forecast the possibility of light snow over isolated higher reaches due to feeble Western Disturbances (WDs) approaching on January 16 and 20 but said that dry weather is likely to continue till January 23.