Jammu city on Wednesday recorded an unusually cold day, emerging as the coldest place in the Union Territory, even colder than popular Kashmir hill stations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing conditions, winter vacations for summer zone schools in Jammu province have been extended till January 17.
According to data shared by the Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature in Jammu settled at 7.4°C, while Gulmarg recorded 8.2°C and Pahalgam 10.6°C. Srinagar registered a comparatively higher maximum temperature of 13.3°C.
The day temperature in Jammu was 10.1 degrees below the normal average of 17.5°C for this time of the year, indicating intense cold wave conditions in the winter capital.
Weather records show that 7.4°C is the fourth-lowest maximum temperature ever recorded in Jammu. The lowest maximum was 5.0°C in 1986, followed by 6.7°C in 2013 and 7.1°C in 2011. The same maximum temperature of 7.4°C was also recorded in 2016, the department said.
Meteorological experts attributed the sharp fall in day temperature to persistent cloud cover and cold winds, which significantly curtailed daytime heating across the region.
The severe cold has disrupted normal life in Jammu, with authorities closely monitoring the weather situation amid continuing cold wave conditions.
Sub-zero temperatures grip Kashmir
Cold wave conditions continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday night, as several places in the Kashmir Valley recorded sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh witnessed severe cold with the mercury plunging well below the freezing point.
In the Kashmir region, Shopian emerged as the coldest place with a minimum temperature of -7.5°C, followed by Pulwama (-7.0°C) and Sopore (-6.9°C). Anantnag recorded -6.6°C, Awantipora -6.4°C, Kupwara -6.2°C, Beerwah (Budgam) -6.1°C, and both Pahalgam and Srinagar Airport -6.0°C.
Srinagar city recorded a low of -5.2°C, while Qazigund settled at -5.3°C. Other places included Budgam (-5.4°C), Pampore (-5.0°C), Bandipora (-4.5°C), Gulmarg (-3.8°C), Ganderbal (-3.7°C), Sonamarg (-2.2°C), Kokernag (-2.3°C), and Baramulla (-1.8°C). Temperature data for Kulgam was not available.
In the Jammu region, comparatively milder temperatures were recorded, though some areas still experienced chilly conditions. Jammu city recorded 4.0°C, while Jammu Airport registered 4.8°C. Bhaderwah recorded 0.5°C, Udhampur 1.0°C, Samba 1.5°C, Ramban 2.8°C, Reasi 2.6°C, and Rajouri dipped below freezing at -0.6°C. Other areas included Banihal (5.3°C), Katra (5.5°C), Batote (4.5°C), Kathua (4.2°C), Kishtwar (4.3°C), and Doda (4.3°C). Temperature data for Poonch was not available.
Winter vacations extended till January 17
Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, has announced an extension of winter vacations for all government and private schools in the summer zone till January 17, 2026, citing prevailing inclement weather conditions.
The extension applies to both students and teaching staff.
The directive, issued by Dr. Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, Director, School Education, Jammu, in continuation of Office Order No. 16-DSEJ-2026 dated 11-01-2026, stated that winter vacations for all government and private schools falling in the summer zone shall stand extended till 17-01-2026 due to prevailing weather conditions.
However, board examinations for Classes 10 to 12 shall be conducted strictly as per the notified schedule, if any.
Schools have also been advised to explore the possibility of conducting online classes for students from Class 6 onwards.
It was further ordered that preparations for Republic Day 2026 shall be conducted strictly as per the schedule notified by the competent authorities.
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