Snowfall to be delayed in Kashmir in 2011 – 12

There has been a disappointing news for the tourists / travelers who are planning to visit the Jammu and Kashmir valley in the months of November and December to witness snowfall or play in snow. As per weather department, as the temperatures are a little above normal so far, it may delay the snowfall upto mid of December types. Snow season in Kashmir/Ladakh valley generally starts from mid of November but IMD guys think that there will be now snowfall in the coming 10 days or so. Hence, snowfall will be delayed.

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Jammu, November 23
The tourists who are planning to visit Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy the snow will have to wait a little longer this year as snowfall will be delayed.

Last year, the snowfall came almost a month in advance to the scheduled time, and this year it is expected after mid-December. Last year, the first major snowfall was witnessed on October 22 in some parts of the Kashmir valley.

This year, the current temperature in all three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — is two to three degrees above normal.

Officials in the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said currently the minimum and maximum temperature in the Jammu region was between 14 and 25°Celsius. Similarly, in the Kashmir valley the temperature was between 2 and 16°Celsius.

In Ladakh also, which is a cold desert, the trend remained similar with the maximum temperature recorded at 11°Celsius.

Sonam Lotus, Director, IMD, Jammu and Kashmir, said: “The temperature is two to three degrees above normal this year. There are bleak chances of snowfall before mid-December. However, a few higher reaches may witness snowfall before this period.”

“So far, only Gulmarg and Sonamarg witnessed one-inch snow on November 10. But, this was not enough to attract tourists.”

About the forecast of the department, he said there was hardly any possibility of rain in the next 10 days. “The temperature will remain almost similar in the coming few days. Once there will be rainfall, only then there is the possibility of snowfall,” maintained Lotus.

As per the IMD, the snow season in J&K starts from November 15, which lasts till March 15.

SNOW SCAPE

• This year, snowfall is expected after mid-December.
• The normal snow season in Jammu and Kashmir starts from November 15 to March 15
• The current temperature in all three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — is two to three degrees above normal.
• According to Met forecast, there’s no possibility of rain in next 10 days.

External Source: Snow season to make late entry in Kashmir this year