Snow, rain likely as Kashmir braces for ‘Chillai-Kalan’

Kashmir will face wet weather, including moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches, even as the night temperature improves slightly a day before the onset of ‘Jillai-Kalan’, the 40-day harsh winter period, officials said on Saturday (December 20, 2025).

The local meteorological department has predicted rainy weather on December 20-21, coinciding with the beginning of ‘Cillai-Kalan’, which starts on December 21 and ends on January 31 every year.

Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in the higher reaches of Kashmir, while light to moderate rains may affect the plains, the meteorological office said.

The probability of snowfall is highest and occurs most frequently during this period; Temperatures drop sharply throughout the valley.

The valley has not witnessed any major rainfall so far this winter. Dry weather has caused illnesses such as coughs and colds to increase.

Night temperatures improved across the Valley, with Pulwama being the coldest place with a minimum of minus 3.2°C, according to the MeT office.

A low temperature of -0.4°C was recorded in Srinagar, up nearly 2° from the previous night’s -2.1°C, officials said.

On Saturday morning, December 20, 2025, a thick layer of fog enveloped Srinagar and many other parts of the Valley, especially near water bodies.

In South Kashmir, Pahalgam, one of the base camps of Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low temperature of -1°C, while Kokernag and Qazigund recorded 0.8 and -1°C respectively.

The temperature dropped to -0.7°C in Kupwara in north Kashmir, the meteorological department said.

The minimum temperature in Gulmarg was stated to be above the freezing point of 2°C.