Jammu colder than Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar as temperature plunges 10°C below normal

What happened: Jammu city recorded temperatures up to 10 degrees Celsius below seasonal average, turning colder than Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar.

Why it matters now: The unusual cold spell has disrupted daily life and raised concerns over public health, travel and power demand.

What changes for people: Residents face chilly mornings, foggy conditions and higher heating needs, while authorities review advisories.

Who is affected: Urban households, commuters, students, farmers and travelers across the Jammu region.

Jammu witnessed an exceptional cold snap on Tuesday, emerging colder than Kashmir’s traditional winter hotspots Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar. Meteorological officials confirmed that temperatures in the winter capital dipped nearly 10°C below normal, marking one of the sharpest deviations this season.

The sudden chill has caught residents off guard, especially as Jammu typically remains milder compared to the Kashmir Valley during peak winter.

Why Jammu turned colder than Kashmir towns

According to officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the sharp temperature drop was driven by a combination of clear night skies, dry winds and cold air movement from the north. These conditions led to intense overnight cooling, particularly across plains and low-lying urban pockets of Jammu.

An IMD official said the weather pattern temporarily reversed the usual temperature gradient, making Jammu colder than higher-altitude locations that retained cloud cover and residual snowfall insulation.

Impact on daily life and public services

The unexpected cold has led to dense morning fog, slowing traffic on key city routes and highways connecting Jammu with Udhampur and Kathua. Schools reported lower attendance in early hours, while hospitals noted a rise in cold-related complaints among elderly patients.

Power demand also spiked as households relied more on room heaters and electric blankets, prompting officials to monitor load management closely.

Agriculture and travel concerns

Experts warned that sudden temperature drops can stress winter crops and vegetable farms around Jammu. Farmers have been advised to protect standing crops from frost exposure, especially during early mornings.

For travelers, authorities urged caution due to reduced visibility and icy patches during dawn hours, even as major roads remained open.

Official advisory and outlook

The IMD stated that the cold wave conditions are temporary and temperatures are expected to gradually normalize over the next few days, unless another western disturbance influences the region.

Authorities underlined the need to follow official weather advisories and avoid unnecessary early-morning travel during peak fog hours.