Srinagar, October 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Night temperatures dropped below the freezing point for the first time this season in Jammu and Kashmir’s popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg and Pahalgam on Sunday, signalling the gradual onset of winter in the Kashmir Valley.
According to the Meteorological Department, Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam registered minus 0.3 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a minimum temperature of 2.9 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees below normal. Jammu city registered 14.1 degrees Celsius, while Katra recorded 12 degrees, Batote 9.8 degrees and Bhaderwah 2.8 degrees Celsius.
The early morning chill kept many residents indoors on Sunday, with people avoiding morning walks and other outdoor activities as the Valley experienced a leisurely holiday under a weak autumn sun.
The Meteorological Department has forecast generally dry weather across the region until the end of October, although isolated and brief spells of rain remain possible until October 28.
Autumn colours continue to transform Kashmir’s landscape, with the leaves of the iconic Chinar trees turning amber before gradually shifting to shades of gold, rust and crimson.
Residents have begun wearing light woollen clothing, while elderly people have started using the traditional tweed overgarment known as the pheran to protect themselves from the cold. Schoolchildren, too, have switched to winter uniforms as they face the morning chill.
Fresh snowfall at Zojila Pass and on the Afarwat mountains near Gulmarg has added to indications that winter may arrive earlier than usual this year.
The early arrival of hundreds of migratory birds in the Valley has also marked the seasonal transition. The birds travel from Russia, China, Eastern Europe and other regions to spend the winter months in Kashmir, escaping harsher conditions in their usual habitats.
Despite the falling temperatures, tourist activity remains strong across the Valley. Kashmir’s golden-yellow autumn scenery is adding to the holiday experience of visitors, while hotels, guesthouses and homestays are offering accommodation at relatively affordable rates.
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