Srinagar, Oct 04 (KNO): Several weather stations across Kashmir recorded their highest or near-highest October temperatures on Sunday, with the mercury soaring several degrees above normal amid an unusual spell of warmth.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.2 degrees Celsius, making it the second-highest October temperature on record.
The reading, as per details collected by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), surpassed the previous October high of 31.1 degrees Celsius, recorded on October 2, 2008. The all-time October record for Srinagar remains 33.9 degrees Celsius, recorded on October 2, 1931.
At Qazigund, the maximum temperature rose to 31.4 degrees Celsius, breaking its previous October record of 31.2 degrees Celsius, set on October 1, 1985. The temperature was 7.3 degrees above normal.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif described the temperatures recorded at several stations as exceptional for October. “The temperatures are exceptionally high for this time of the year, with Qazigund and Kokernag breaking their respective October records. Such values are unusual and indicate an intense spell of heat across Kashmir,” Arif said.
In Gulmarg, the mercury climbed to 23.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous October high of 23 degrees recorded just a day earlier. The October record for Gulmarg stands at 23.4 degrees Celsius, recorded on October 1, 2009.
The temperature at Gulmarg was 6.7 degrees above normal, making Sunday the second-hottest October day recorded at the resort.
Meanwhile, Kokernag also registered a new October record, with the maximum temperature reaching 29.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 29.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on October 4, 2008. The temperature was 5.8 degrees above normal.
Arif further said the persistence of unusually high temperatures across both valley stations and higher-altitude locations made the ongoing spell particularly noteworthy.
The unusually warm conditions come at a time when temperatures across Kashmir are normally expected to decline steadily as autumn progresses.—(KNO)