Kashmir's Unusual Weather: From Soaring 26°C to Snowfall in April

As India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest report released a list of cities that recorded the highest temperatures

By Jahangir Sofi 20 Apr 2023

New Update

‘In April 2017, the temperature plummeted from 28°C to 0°C’

As India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest report released a list of cities that recorded the highest temperatures earlier this week, weather in Jammu and Kashmir has been behaving erratically, while Muslims in the region are anticipating bright and sunny weather ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr festivities.

Changing weather patterns in Kashmir

From soaring temperature—26°C in the summer capital earlier this month, the fresh snowfall at the world-famous ski resort—Gulmarg on Thursday plummeted mercury below normal at most places, as J&K has been experiencing sporadic showers for the past several days.

srinagar rains — Jammu and Kashmir's changing climatic patterns over the last two decades showcase extreme weather conditions becoming the new normal, a reminder of the urgent need for climate action. Photo Credit: Jahangit Sofi

Mukhtar Ahmed a senior official at India Meteorological Department stationed at Srinagar’s MeT office told the Groundreport.in that the climatic phenomenon in Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing varying patterns over the last two decades now, stating that the emerging extreme weather conditions have been adopted now.

He said the average rainfall for the month of April is around 90 MM and for this year not even 50 percent of that has precipitated yet, stating that there are minimal hovering of active western disturbances in the valley or at times, on arrival, there is no strike.

He said that owing to the emergence of extreme weather conditions they are witnessing fluctuating weather patterns in the valley from rising to declining temperatures.

“All time temperature in the month of April has been recorded as 31°C in the year 1946 while on April 2017 a temperature of around 28-29°C was recorded, in the same month temperature plummeted to 0°C”, he said.

Explaining the current downpour weather conditions are not new, he said under the influence of extreme weather conditions the mean rainfall for any month can occur within a few days. He said that so far in the ongoing month of April, the temperature has touched a maximum of 25-26°C and a minimum of 3-4°C.

On 19 April 2023, India Meteorological Department on their official Twitter handle wrote, “Latest Satellite and radar observations show the movement of an intense convective cloud mass across Punjab, Haryana, J&K, Himachal Pradesh leading to favorable conditions for light to moderate rainfall with occasional intense spells along with isolated Thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and hailstorms over the region during next 3-4 hours.”

publive-image — Kashmir experiences a weather rollercoaster as temperatures rise to 26°C, only to be followed by unexpected April snowfall, creating a breathtaking winter wonderland. Wahid Bhat/Ground Report

According to the Srinagar station’s MeT officials, upper reaches including Gulmarg received 1 CM of fresh snowfall while intermittent rains lashed plains and in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours Thursday morning, Srinagar received 28.3mm of rain, Qazigund 68.0mm, Pahalgam 43.7mm, Kokernag 36.8mm, Gulmarg 40.4mm) while received Jammu 0.2mm, Banihal 41.1mm, Batote 46.8mm, Bhaderwah 20.0mm, Katra 1.8mm, and Kathua 4.0mm.

Rain dampens market excitement in Kashmir

srinagar market — Rain dampens market excitement in Kashmir, keeping shoppers away for the third consecutive day. Photo Credit: Jahangir Sofi/Ground Report

Meanwhile, the sporadic rain in the valley dampened the market excitement on Thursday again for a third day in a row, restraining the shoppers from thronging the valley market.

Notably, soon after the Jumat-ul-wida and Shab-e-Qadar occasions in the holy month of Ramadan, markets often witness an upsurge in sales with people thronging the markets to buy dresses for children, food items, bakery items, mutton, and other items.