Jammu and Kashmir is touted as one of the best places to see snowfall in India. You will be amazed to know that in November 2019, more than 120 cm of snowfall was recorded in Kukernag, which was the highest recorded till date. In recent years, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar, Kupwara, Banihal, and Quazigund have experienced the highest snowfall. Some of these are among the best snowfall places in Jammu and Kashmir, which attract tourists across the country and abroad. Here is some information about the top 5 places in J&K that experience heavy snowfall.
Gulmarg: The ski resort of Gulmarg has experienced 12 cm snowfall this year. From October to March, temperatures here dip below 0 degrees Celsius. Every year in January or February, Gulmarg celebrates its own snow festival. To see continuous snowfall and the snow-capped mountains, and if you would like to indulge in snow sports, November to February is the best time to visit Gulmarg.
Pahalgam: For adventure lovers, winter is the best season to visit here and the best time to visit Pahalgam to enjoy skiing and other snow activities, is March to November. In October this year, Pahalgam was covered in a blanket of snow and the temperature dropped to 0.3 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar: In January this year, Srinagar received around 3.5 cm snow and the minimum temperature here was 5.6 degrees Celsius. Around two weeks ago, the city received heavy snowfall due to which flight operations were delayed. The best time to visit Srinagar to view snowfall is between October and March. During this time, the temperatures may drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Sonmarg: The winter season in Sonmarg is from November to March during which the temperatures dip below 0 degrees Celsius, and the whole town is covered with snow. Around two weeks ago, Sonmarg received heavy snowfall due to which the Sonmarg-Zojila road was closed. The travel may be challenging during the winter season but the town looks picturesque due to the snow cover.
Kupwara: Around three weeks ago, the snowfall in Kupwara disrupted the power and water supplies in the region. About a week ago, it received 5.4 cm of snowfall and a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius. The recent snowfall in Kupwara led to avalanches.
These were the top 5 places in Jammu and Kashmir that receive heavy snowfall. Many a times, snowfalls affect facilities such as transport, water and electricity and lead to the disruption of normal life. However, snowfall is also the time to enjoy adventure sports in J&K. Blanketed with snow, these regions look all the more beautiful. Hence, although traveling gets difficult during this time, these heavy snowfall places in Jammu and Kashmir are sought-after by thrill-seekers. One should also remember that before visiting any of these places, or others with heavy snowfall, it is advisable to check the actual weather conditions there, as the extreme cold may not be suitable for everyone.
