Srinagar, February 3, 2026 : Night temperatures across the Kashmir Valley continued their upward trend, with Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius, more than three degrees above the seasonal average, officials said on Tuesday.
Meteorological officials noted that the rise in minimum temperatures in the summer capital has been steady and consistent since the conclusion of Chillai Kalan, the region’s harshest 40-day winter phase. The improvement in night temperatures indicates a slow transition towards comparatively milder winter conditions.
The famous ski resort Gulmarg in Baramulla district remained the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir, registering a low of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. However, this temperature was still around two degrees higher than the normal average of minus 7.4 degrees Celsius for this time of the year.
In south Kashmir, Pahalgam, a major tourist destination and the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, witnessed a notable rise in minimum temperature. The mercury increased by over four degrees, settling at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, reflecting a significant departure from usual winter norms.
Other parts of the Valley also experienced relatively milder nights. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag touched the freezing point at 0 degrees, while Kupwara settled at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, Chillai Khurd, the 20-day period of comparatively milder cold, commenced on Saturday following the end of Chillai Kalan. This phase will be followed by Chillai Bachha, a 10-day spell that marks the final stage of winter cold in Kashmir, after which temperatures are expected to gradually improve further.
