Srinagar: As Jammu and Kashmir braces up for an extended wet spell beginning this evening, night temperature on Saturday witnessed a jump with only Gulmarg recording below freezing level.Also, the weatherman issued a yellow warning for isolated heavy rain and snow over higher reaches and disruption of traffic on higher passes from February 18-20. There are four types of colour codes signifying the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow—situation to be watched, orange–government agencies need to be prepared for severe weather and red –action needed by the agencies.A meteorological department official said that Srinagar saw an increase by over 4°C, recording a low of 3.0°C against minus 1.6°C on the previous night. It was above normal by 2.0°C for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year, he said.Qazigund recorded a minimum of 1.0°C against minus 1.2°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said.Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 0.7°C against minus 4.2°C on the previous night and it was 5.1°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 2.0°C against 0.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 2.9°C for the place, the official said.Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 3.3°C against 2.4°C on the previous night and it was 3.5°C above normal there, the official said.Gulmarg, the official said, recorded a low of minus 1.2°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 5.6°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 10.7°C and it was above normal by 0.2°C for the winter capital of J&K.Banihal recorded a low of 4.0°C, Batote 6.9°C and Bhaderwah 4.8°C, he said.The weatherman has forecast “extended wet spell” in Jammu and Kashmir from Saturday night onwards till afternoon of February 21. “A couple of moderate to intense Western Disturbances most likely to affect J&K and adjoining areas from February 17 afternoon onwards,” he said.Under the influence of the weather Systems, he said, an “extended wet spell” is likely from February 17 (night) onwards till February 21 (Afternoon) most likely over J&K and adjoining areas.In Kashmir Valley, he said, partly to generally cloudy with possibility of light snow at isolated higher reaches is expected towards late Saturday night.On February 18, he said, generally cloudy weather with possibility of light to moderate rain and snow is expected at many places.From February 19-20, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at most places (plains and lower reaches) with possibility of heavy snowfall over middle and higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Badgam, Shopian and Kulgam districts during late afternoon of February 19 to February 20 late night.From February 21, he said, there is possibility of light to moderate snow at many places till afternoon and late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter.Regarding Jammu division, he said, there is possibility of light rain and snow at many places on Sunday.From 19th-20th Feb, there is possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain with thunder/lightning in plains of Jammu Division with light to moderate snowfall over higher reaches and heavy snowfall over isolated higher reaches of Ramban, Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar.”On February 21, he said, light to moderate snow/rain/thunder/lightning is expected over many places till late afternoon and evening and gradual improvement thereafter.The MeT office also issued an advisory, saying that the system may lead to temporary closure of roads of higher reaches and important passes like Sinthan pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan pass, Zojila etc.“Travellers are advised to plan accordingly,” the MeT official said, adding, “farmers are advised to withhold irrigation and fertilizer application and drain out excess water from Orchards and fields during the above period.”He said a significant drop in day temperature is expected during the period.As ‘Chillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh period of winter ended on January 29, Kashmir is presently in the middle of 20-day-long winter period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that ends on February 19 and is followed by a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which starts from February 20 to March 1. (GNS)

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