Snowfall Lashes Higher Reaches of Jammu Kashmir as Rain, Hailstorms Batter Plains A fresh western disturbance brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hailstorms to several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, while snowfall was reported in the Apharwat hills of Gulmarg and other elevated regions of north Kashmir. Weather officials attributed the erratic weather to above-normal temperatures that persisted across the Union Territory earlier in the day. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar noted that intense showers, lightning, and thunderstorms occurred during the afternoon and evening, with localized flash floods and mudslides warned in vulnerable areas. The Met Centre issued a nowcast warning earlier in the day, highlighting the risk of hailstorms, lightning, and strong winds in districts such as Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar. It also cautioned about potential flash floods due to short-duration, heavy rainfall. A lightning strike in Sazaan village triggered a forest fire in pine-covered regions, though no casualties were reported. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid electric poles, loose structures, overhead wires, and old trees. Boating and shikara activities on Dal Lake and other water bodies were suspended during adverse weather conditions. Temperatures remained above seasonal averages across most regions. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 31.5°C, 3.5°C above normal, with a minimum of 18.5°C, 3.9°C higher than the seasonal average. Qazigund saw temperatures of 30.2°C and 16.4°C, both above normal, while Pahalgam registered 25.9°C and Kupwara 30.2°C. Gulmarg, typically the coldest tourist destination, had a maximum of 21.6°C. In the Jammu region, Jammu city was the hottest at 41.8°C, 3°C above normal, followed by Katra at 38.#srinagar #gulmarg #jammu_kashmir #met_centre #dal_lake
Srinagar Weather: Intense Sun Raises Daytime Temperatures, No Relief in Sight Srinagar, May 18, 2026 — Intense sunlight persisted from early Saturday, causing a significant rise in daytime temperatures across the region. The weather monitoring station at Lal Chowk recorded a maximum temperature of 30.2 degrees Celsius, which is 4.8 degrees above the average. The minimum temperature stood at 13.4 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees higher than normal. In Kajigund, a key entry point to Kashmir, the maximum temperature reached 30.5 degrees Celsius, 6.1 degrees above the average, while the minimum was 10.0 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degrees below normal. Pahalgam saw a maximum of 24.2 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees lower than the average, with a minimum of 6.4 degrees Celsius, 0.2 degrees above normal. Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 22.2 degrees Celsius, 5.6 degrees higher than the average, and a minimum of 7.4 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees below normal. According to the Meteorological Department’s forecast, the weather pattern for the coming days is expected to remain largely unchanged. On May 18, the region will experience dry conditions. However, clouds are anticipated to cover the sky on May 19 and 20, with light rain or thunderstorms possible in some areas. On May 21, clouds will persist, and light rain showers may occur in isolated regions. The weather is expected to remain dry on May 22 and 23, followed by cloudy conditions on May 24 and 25, with the possibility of light rain and thunderstorms in certain parts of the state. The sudden spike in temperatures has raised concerns among residents, particularly in urban areas where the heat is more pronounced. While the Meteorological Department has not issued any immediate warnings, the prolonged dry spell has prompted calls for water conservation measures.#pahalgam #srinagar #meteorological_department #gulmarg #kajigund
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Highlights Golf's Role in Tourism and Youth Development Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the potential of the region’s renowned golf courses to boost tourism and cultivate young talent in the state. Speaking at the inauguration of a golf tournament at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar on Sunday, Abdullah highlighted the strategic importance of golf as both a recreational activity and a platform for nurturing local athletes. Abdullah noted that Kashmir’s golf courses, including those in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam, are among the finest in India. He praised the natural beauty of these locations, which he described as ideal for attracting both domestic and international golf enthusiasts. “If we talk about the most beautiful golf courses in India, then Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam easily rank among the top,” he stated. The Chief Minister outlined the government’s dual focus on promoting golf tourism and providing training opportunities for local players. He explained that the initiative aims to create a new generation of golfers in Kashmir while leveraging the region’s world-class facilities to draw tourists. “Our focus is to train local golfers and use these world-class courses to attract tourists. Through such tournaments, we want to build a new generation of golfers in Kashmir,” Abdullah said. According to Abdullah, the tournament attracted over 100 participants, including golfers from across India and abroad. He observed a growing trend of North Indian golfers choosing Srinagar for weekend getaways, drawn by the scenic surroundings and high-quality courses. “I hope this growing interest will benefit tourism in the Valley,” he added.#srinagar #gulmarg #jammu_and_kashmir #omar_abdullah #royal_springs_golf_course
Jammu and Kashmir Weather Today: Rain and snowfall likely, IMD issues advisory Jammu and Kashmir is expected to experience rain and snowfall today, marking a shift from several days of unusually warm weather. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has issued an alert, warning that higher elevations in Kashmir will see snowfall while plains will receive rain. Farmers are advised to pause agricultural activities, and high winds are anticipated. A dry spell is expected to follow the unsettled weather before another system arrives. The region has endured a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures significantly above seasonal averages. Until recently, the deviation from normal temperatures reached nearly 10 degrees. This unusual warmth has prompted officials to issue warnings about potential disruptions on mountain roads due to fresh snowfall. The weather forecast indicates cloudy skies across the Union Territory, with light to moderate rain likely in many areas. Snowfall is expected in higher reaches of north and central Kashmir. Fresh snow may impact travel on high-altitude roads and mountain passes. Farmers have been specifically advised to suspend agricultural work and spraying activities for the next two days due to the expected weather conditions. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 km per hour may occur on March 11. After the rain and snowfall, a dry spell is predicted from March 12 to 14, with another weather system potentially arriving after this period. Forecasters anticipate unsettled conditions through the third week of March. Light rain or snow is expected on the night of March 15, and further rain and snowfall may occur in several locations from March 17 to 20. Temperature readings from Tuesday highlight the unusual warmth: Jammu recorded a maximum of 31.2°C, 5.#srinagar #gulmarg #jammu_and_kashmir #indian_meteorological_department #kashmir_valley
Two Women Snowboard Down Gulmarg’s Snow-Covered Slopes In Sarees, Internet Says ‘Yash Raj Films Take Notes’ Mumbai-based snowboarder Urmila Pable has sparked widespread admiration after sharing a video of herself and fellow rider Linda gliding down Gulmarg’s snowy slopes while dressed in traditional sarees. The clip, which blends traditional attire with high-energy snowboarding, has been hailed as a bold fusion of culture and sport, drawing comparisons to cinematic action sequences. The duo’s daring performance, captured in a viral post, has captivated audiences with its blend of style and athleticism. In the video, Urmila and Linda navigate the snow-covered mountain terrain with confidence, their flowing sarees contrasting strikingly with the crisp winter landscape. The scene has been described as both visually striking and thrilling, with viewers praising the pair’s skill and the seamless integration of traditional clothing into a modern sport. The caption accompanying the post reads, “Saree not sorry. Snowboarding edition,” a playful nod to the cultural significance of the attire. The video quickly gained traction online, amassing over four million views and sparking a wave of enthusiastic comments. Fans praised the women’s courage, with many calling them “superwomen” and expressing admiration for their fearless approach to the sport. Some viewers drew parallels to Bollywood, with one remarking, “Yash Raj Films should take notes,” while others highlighted the empowering message of the clip, stating, “Woman can do anything.” The post also drew attention to the harmony between tradition and adventure, with comments like, “Skiing and sareeing can go hand in hand.” This isn’t the first time Urmila Pable has made headlines.#urmila_pable #linda #gulmarg #yash_raj_films #priyanka_chopra
