Known as 'Chilai-Kalan' in local parlance, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum during this period.
The night temperature across Kashmir division rose by a few notches due to overcast conditions, providing some relief to the people of the valley and frontier Ladakh region from the bone chilling cold.
The minimum temperature, however, continued to stay below the freezing point with Kargil in Ladakh being the coldest recorded place at minus 14.8 degrees Celsius, a spokesman of the MET department said here.
He said the summer capital Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, marking an improvement of almost three degrees compared to previous night.
Srinagar had recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius yesterday.
The famous ski resort of Pahalgam, which serves as the base camp during the annual Amarnath yatra, also experienced a rise of three degrees in the night temperature which settled at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, the spokesman said.
Gulmarg, a star attraction for tourists visiting the Valley during winter, recorded a low of minus 6.0 degrees Celsius against yesterday's minus 7.2 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature in Leh town of Ladakh also recorded an increase of almost one degree to settle at minus 13.1 degrees Celsius, making it the second coldest recorded place in the state, the spokesman said.
Qazigund the gateway town to Kashmir Valley registered the minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, the mercury in Kokernag settled at minus 1.5 degree Celsius, the official said.
He said Kupwara, in north Kashmir, registered a low of minus 1.5 - an increase of almost two degrees compared the previous night.
Kashmir is in the midst of the 40-day-long harshest phase of winter, which began on December 21 and will continue till the end of this month.
Known as 'Chilai-Kalan' in local parlance, the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum during this period.
The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day long 'Chillai Bachha' (baby cold).
The spokesman predicted rain or snow at isolated places in the region tomorrow but said the weather is expected to remain mostly dry during the next six days.