Jammu And Kashmir Logs Warmest February In Ten Years
Unseasonal warmth in Jammu and Kashmir raises concerns over changing winter patterns.
Jammu and Kashmir has recorded its warmest February in a decade, with temperatures consistently remaining above seasonal averages and shortening the region’s traditional winter cycle. Data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates that both daytime and nighttime temperatures across the Union Territory have been markedly higher than normal, particularly in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley.
Meteorologists attribute the anomaly to a combination of weak western disturbances and reduced snowfall activity during the peak winter months. Western disturbances — weather systems originating over the Mediterranean region — typically bring rain and snow to north India. This season, however, their frequency and intensity were limited, leading to sparse snowfall in higher reaches and unusually dry conditions in the plains.
The warmer conditions have had visible consequences. Snow cover in key tourist destinations and ski slopes has receded earlier than expected, affecting winter tourism and related livelihoods. Farmers have also expressed concern that reduced snow accumulation could impact water availability for irrigation during the upcoming sowing season, as much of the region’s summer water supply depends on gradual snowmelt.
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Environmental experts warn that the shrinking winter window aligns with broader patterns of climate variability observed across the Himalayas. Rising average temperatures, erratic precipitation, and shorter cold spells have become increasingly common in recent years, raising questions about long-term impacts on agriculture, hydropower generation, and fragile mountain ecosystems.
While IMD officials note that weather fluctuations are not uncommon, they stress that sustained warming trends merit closer scientific monitoring. As February concludes with above-normal readings, residents of Jammu and Kashmir are experiencing a premature transition toward spring — a shift that underscores the growing unpredictability of seasonal cycles in the region.
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