Sajid Raina
Jammu, Jan 14 : Jammu city on Wednesday recorded an unusually low maximum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius, making it colder than several places in the Kashmir Valley, including the hill resort of Gulmarg.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the temperature marked the fourth lowest maximum ever recorded in Jammu city.
Officials said the day temperature was 10.1 degrees Celsius below normal, against an average maximum of 17.5 degrees Celsius for this time of the year.
Weather records show that a maximum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius was also recorded in Jammu in 2016.
The city had earlier witnessed 7.1 degrees Celsius in 2011, 6.7 degrees Celsius in 2013, while the lowest maximum temperature on record remains 5.0 degrees Celsius, logged in 1986.
In contrast, several locations in the Kashmir Valley recorded higher day temperatures. Srinagar registered a maximum of 13.3 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded 10.6 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg, a popular ski destination located at a higher altitude, recorded a maximum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius, higher than Jammu city.
Officials said the sharp drop in Jammu’s daytime temperature was influenced by persistent cloud cover and cold weather conditions prevailing across the region.
The unusually low maximum has also led to a cold day scenario in the city, with residents reporting increased use of heating appliances.
The Meteorological Department said that such deviations in maximum temperatures are uncommon for Jammu during this period.
It said weather conditions are being monitored and advised people to take precautions, particularly during early morning and evening hours—(KNO)
