Cold conditions gripped Kashmir on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Minimum temperatures fell across most areas, settling below freezing point. Srinagar's low dropped to minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, down by one degree from the previous night. Sonamarg topped the chill list at minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, colder than the prior night's minus 5.5. Gulmarg recorded minus four, while Pahalgam dipped to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius. Qazigund, Kokernag, and Kupwara also saw freezing lows below minus three degrees. Officials said a western disturbance would impact the region later on Thursday, likely bringing light to moderate snowfall. "Two strong western disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir this week," they noted, with the first arriving on January 22 and the next on January 26. They expect widespread rain and snow, including in the valley's plains. The main snowfall activity is forecast for January 23 and January 27. This system could break the long dry spell seen in the valley plains and might disrupt surface and air traffic. Kashmir is currently in the cold phase called 'Chilla-i-Kalan,' a 40-day period of extreme cold that lasts until January 30. While higher areas have seen some snowfall, the plains have remained snowless until now. Stay alert for the upcoming snow and prepare for colder days ahead in Kashmir’s freezing embrace.