Srinagar:
After a relief for a day, cold wave conditions again gripped the Kashmir Valley on Thursday as temperatures dropped much below the freezing point, the Met Office said.
"The minimum temperature was minus 2.6 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today (Thursday) while it was minus 9.3 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus 9.2 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg," Sonam Lotus, director of the India Meteorological Department in Srinagar told media.
The minimum temperatures rose by a few notches across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as the Kashmir Valley experienced light snowfall and cloudy weather.
The minimum temperature was minus 16.4 degrees Celsius in Leh town and it was minus 18.2 degrees Celsius in Kargil town on Thursday, Lotus said.
"Cold wave conditions will continue till the evening of Jan 12 and the night temperatures can drop further, adding to the intense cold prevailing in the state at present," the official said.
"From the evening of Jan 12, we are expecting moderate snowfall in the higher reaches and light snowfall in the plains of the Kashmir Valley. Light snowfall is also likely to occur in Srinagar city during that period," Lotus said.
Kashmir is at present passing through the 40-day period of harsh winter known locally as 'Chillai Kalan', that started Dec 21, 2012.
Although cold wave has continued during the first 20 days of 'Chillai Kalan', its intensity this year here is far less than what was last year.
During the corresponding period last year, the Dal Lake had frozen rock solid while this year it has partially frozen.
So far, the valley has experienced no heavy snowfall.
The perennial water reservoirs that feed various rivers, streams and springs during the summer months are replenished by the winter snows.
Snowfall is thus something eagerly awaited for by farmers for the better prospects of kharif crops in the state.