Srinagar, 8 December (H.S.): The intense cold tightened its grip across Jammu & Kashmir on Sunday night as minimum temperatures again dipped below freezing at most stations in the Valley, with Shopian emerging as the coldest at -4.2°C.

Several areas in central and south Kashmir recorded some of the coldest readings of the season.

Srinagar city shivered at -2.4°C, while the Srinagar Airport belt remained even colder at -3.2°C. Pampore froze at -2.0°C, Budgam at -3.1°C, and Ganderbal at -2.3°C.

In south Kashmir, temperatures remained consistently low with Anantnag at -1.4°C, Awantipora at -1.4°C, Pulwama at -3.1°C, and Pahalgam at -0.4°C. Kokernag was among the few places to stay just above the freezing point at 0.1°C.

North Kashmir also witnessed a sharp chill as Kupwara recorded -1.2°C, Bandipora -2.2°C, and Baramulla -3.1°C. Sonamarg remained under cold wave conditions at -2.8°C.

Meanwhile, Jammu region stayed relatively warmer, though several stations reported a noticeable drop. Jammu city recorded 7.9°C, Katra 9.6°C, Banihal 4.5°C, Bhaderwah 2.6°C, and Udhampur 2.0°C.

Temperatures in Ladakh continued to plunge, with Leh at -6.2°C, Kargil at -5.0°C, and Nubra Valley at -3.7°C, keeping the region firmly under severe cold wave conditions.

Meteorologists said the cold wave is expected to persist, with clear night skies likely to push temperatures further down in the coming days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar