Kashmir Rings in New Year with Fresh Snowfall; Tourists Flock to Resorts

• Kashmir's tourist resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg received fresh overnight snowfall, attracting large numbers of New Year revelers.
• Higher reaches including Tulail Valley, Razdan Top, Macchil, Sadhna Top, and Zojila Pass also experienced significant snowfall.
• The meteorological department forecasts improving weather, with light rain/snow showers possible as a western disturbance moves away.
• Despite the fresh snow, Kashmir is experiencing an unusually warm winter, with night temperatures 1.2 to 6.3 degrees Celsius above seasonal average.
• Srinagar recorded 2.2°C (4.6°C above normal), while Gulmarg was coldest at -5.5°C; Pahalgam and Qazigund also saw above-normal temperatures.

Why It Matters: Kashmir welcomed New Year with fresh snow at resorts, but faces an unusually warm winter despite the cold period.