Srinagar, Feb 24 — Day temperatures continued to remain significantly above seasonal averages across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with most locations in the Kashmir Valley recording departures of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius above normal, according to data.
In the Valley, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 20.2°C, which was 8.2°C above the average for this time of the year. Qazigund settled at 20.4°C (+9.4°C), while Pahalgam recorded 14.6°C, around 6.1°C above normal.
Kupwara registered a high of 20.3°C, which was 8.9°C above average, followed by Kokernag at 18.9°C (+9.1°C). The resort town of Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 10.6°C, around 8.2°C above normal, data compiled by Kashmir Weather Watch showed.
Jammu city recorded a maximum of 27.0°C, about 3.9°C above normal.
Banihal settled at 20.3°C (+6.9°C), Batote at 20.1°C (+6.9°C), Bhaderwah at 18.9°C (+4.5°C) and Katra recorded 25.2°C, around 4.3°C above the seasonal norm.
In the Ladakh region, Leh recorded a maximum temperature of 7.4°C, Kargil 9.3°C, while Nubra Valley settled at 10.9°C.
Officials said temperatures were largely in line with the previous day, when several stations across Kashmir had recorded departures of up to 10 degrees Celsius above normal.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir on February 25 and 26. Between February 27 and 28, skies are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with the possibility of light rain or snow at isolated places.
Weather conditions are likely to turn generally dry again on March 1, while March 2 and 3 may see partly to generally cloudy skies with light rain or snow over higher reaches at isolated to scattered places. A dry spell is expected from March 4 to 7, followed by another brief spell of cloudy weather with light precipitation in higher reaches between March 8 and 10, the MeT office said.
The department has advised farmers to continue routine agricultural activities and said a further rise of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in day temperatures is likely at most places over the next two days.