Saqib Rather
Srinagar, Feb 28: In a striking and unprecedented shift in winter weather patterns, Kashmir has recorded its warmest February days in history, with temperatures soaring well above long-standing records across both plains and hill stations.
What is traditionally the peak of winter in the Valley has instead unfolded with spring-like warmth, raising concerns among weather experts and residents alike.
According to meteorological observations, all major stations across the Valley reported record-breaking daytime temperatures, surpassing previous highs set mostly in 2016 — until now considered one of the warmest Februarys on record.
In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the maximum temperature reached 15.6°C, overtaking the earlier record of 14.9°C set in February 2016. The rise was mirrored across south Kashmir, where Qazigund recorded 15.2°C, decisively surpassing its previous high of 14.1°C.
North Kashmir also experienced unusual warmth. Kupwara registered 14.8°C, narrowly exceeding its 2016 record of 14.7°C. Meanwhile, in south Kashmir’s Kokernag, the mercury climbed to 13.5°C, comfortably crossing the earlier benchmark of 12.8°C.
Even traditionally colder tourist destinations were not spared. Pahalgam recorded 12.1°C, beating its previous February record of 11.6°C. The famed ski resort of Gulmarg — often among the coldest places in the region — registered an unusually high 7.0°C, shattering its long-standing record of 5.9°C set in 2006.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif described the event as “highly unusual and climatically significant.”
“What we are witnessing this February is not just a marginal increase in temperature — it is a widespread and consistent record-breaking pattern across elevations,” said Arif. “From plains like Srinagar to high-altitude areas like Gulmarg, the anomaly is both spatially extensive and statistically remarkable.”
He further noted that the persistence of clear skies and lack of Western Disturbances played a key role in driving temperatures upward.
“The absence of strong Western Disturbances this month has reduced cloud cover and precipitation, allowing more solar radiation to heat the surface during the day,” Arif explained. “This has resulted in unusually warm afternoons, even though nights may still feel relatively cool.”
Experts warn that such deviations from normal winter patterns may have broader implications, particularly for agriculture, water resources, and tourism.
“If this trend continues in the coming years, it could impact snow accumulation, which is crucial for Kashmir’s water supply during summer,” Arif cautioned. “A warmer winter often means reduced snowpack, which directly affects rivers and irrigation systems later in the year.”
Local residents have also expressed surprise at the changing character of winter.
“I don’t remember a February like this,” said a resident of Srinagar. “We are used to snow and cold winds, but this year it feels like early spring.”
The record-breaking temperatures have not only redefined February’s climatic identity in Kashmir but also raised pressing questions about long-term climate trends in the Himalayan region. As scientists continue to monitor these changes, the Valley’s unusually warm winter stands as a stark reminder of shifting environmental patterns.
