Srinagar, Srinagar, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), recorded a maximum temperature of 15.0°C over the weekend, marking it as the warmest day in 14 years during the typically harsh winter period known as ‘Chillai-Kalan’, which concludes on January 30.

According to Kashmir Media Service, a meteorological department official reported that the temperature spike was not limited to Srinagar alone. Many stations across the region recorded temperatures 6-8°C above the normal range, with Banihal station hitting the highest at 20.8°C, followed by Srinagar at 15°C and Jammu at 8.9°C. The official noted that Saturday’s temperature in Srinagar was the sixth highest in over a century, with previous records including 15.1°C on January 23, 2003, and a record high of 17.2°C on January 23, 1902.

This season has seen unusually warm temperatures across the region, with the mercury rising to 23.4°C on January 11 this year, the highest ever recorded maximum temperature for the area.

The meteorological department has forecasted the possibility of light snowfall in isolated higher reaches due to feeble Western Disturbances (WDs) expected on January 16 and 20. However, the official indicated that dry weather is likely to prevail until at least January 23, with only minor weather disturbances anticipated.

This unexpected warmth during a traditionally cold season in Srinagar underscores a significant deviation from usual weather patterns, raising questions about climate variability in the region.