Srinagar, November 12,2025: The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, witnessed the coldest night of the season as temperatures plummeted below the freezing point, marking the onset of a severe cold wave across the Kashmir Valley.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -0.8°C, the lowest so far this season. The sharp dip in night temperature led to a thin layer of frost forming on roads and parked vehicles early in the morning, while parts of the Dal Lake showed signs of freezing.
Other parts of the Valley also reeled under intense cold. Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, recorded a minimum temperature of -3.5°C, while Pahalgam in south Kashmir touched -2.8°C. The cold conditions are expected to continue as the weather is likely to remain dry for the next few days, the MeT office said.
Residents woke up to icy winds and misty mornings, with visibility dropping in several areas. Despite the chill, locals and tourists were seen thronging the Boulevard Road and Dal Lake, soaking in the early signs of winter beauty.
Meteorologists predict that temperatures may fall further in the coming week as Kashmir moves closer to the traditional “Chillai Kalan” period — the 40-day harshest winter phase beginning in late December.
Authorities have urged residents to take precautions against the cold wave in Kashmir, especially the elderly and children. The dip in temperature has also marked the start of the winter tourist season in the Valley, with hotels in Gulmarg and Pahalgam reporting early bookings.
