IMD forecasts snow in higher reaches, rain in plains around New Year
Srinagar, Dec 25: Seasonal precipitation in Jammu and Kashmir from October 1 to December 25 remained 44 per cent below normal in Kashmir division, indicating a significant deficit, while Jammu division recorded a near-normal rainfall with a 9 per cent shortfall, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Between October 1 and December 25, 2025, the valley recorded an average seasonal rainfall of 57.9 mm, which is 43.9 per cent below the normal 103.2 mm, the IMD data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveals.
In comparison, Jammu division received 93.3 mm, nearly 9.4 per cent below the normal 102.97 mm.
Weekly rainfall from December 19 to 25 showed wide variation across the regions.
In Kashmir, Bandipora recorded 47.7 mm, a sharp 488 per cent above normal, while Kulgam and Shopian received lower rainfall than usual at 7 mm and 5.3 mm respectively.
Poonch in Jammu division witnessed a heavy 46 mm, exceeding the normal 5.6 mm by 721 per cent, whereas Kathua and Samba recorded no rainfall during the week.
The department also said that most stations across Jammu division have experienced negative departures in weekly rainfall ranging from 30 to 100 per cent, whereas in Kashmir, the departure varied widely from deficits of 1 per cent in Anantnag to surpluses exceeding 250 per cent in Kupwara.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures remained below normal across UT.
In the Kashmir region, Sonamarg recorded the coldest at minus 7.3°C, followed by Gulmarg minus 5.4°C, Pahalgam minus 4.4°C, Shopian minus 4.0°C, Pulwama minus 3.8°C, Zethan Rafiabad minus 3.2°C, Srinagar Airport minus 3.4°C, and Pampore minus 2.5°C.
Budgam minus 2.3°C, Srinagar minus 2.2°C, Kupwara minus 2.0°C, Qazigund minus 1.8°C, Bandipora minus 1.4°C, Ganderbal minus 1.5°C, Anantnag minus 2.7°C, Kokernag minus 0.7°C, Kulgam minus 0.5°C, and Baramulla minus 0.9°C.
In the Jammu region, Katra recorded 8.4°C, Jammu 8.1°C, Kathua 8.0°C, Jammu Airport 7.3°C, Reasi 7.0°C, Kishtwar 5.2°C, Banihal 4.8°C, Batote 4.7°C, Udhampur 4.6°C, Ramban 4.2°C, Samba 2.9°C, and Rajouri 2.6°C, with Bhaderwah at 0.3°C.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 10.2°C, Kargil minus 9.8°C, and Nubra Valley minus 8.3°C, according to Kashmir Weather.
“No significant precipitation was reported in the past 24 hours, and mainly dry weather is expected over the next 24 hours across Jammu and Kashmir,” the Srinagar MeT office said.
“Isolated snowfall is forecast for higher reaches of Kashmir and scattered rain in some areas of the Jammu plains between December 31 and January 1, with improvement thereafter,” it added.
Officials advised residents and authorities to remain vigilant about weather developments, especially in higher altitude regions prone to snowfall.
With winter conditions prevailing, the IMD cautioned that temperatures in the upper reaches are expected to fall further, while the plains are likely to remain dry, with only isolated instances of rain or fog affecting visibility. (KNO)
