Srinagar- Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, has clarified that the La Niña effect does not have a direct connection to heavy snowfall or record-low temperatures in the Kashmir valley.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, Dr. Ahmad emphasized that while La Niña can influence global weather patterns, it does not specifically trigger snowfall or extreme cold in Kashmir
Explaining Dr Ahmad said that La Nina refers to a climate phenomenon where the central and eastern Pacific Ocean experiences cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures.
“It causes changes in global weather patterns, typically resulting in altered rainfall distribution and temperature variations across different regions.”
“These natural phenomena have been occurring for centuries and will continue to do so,” he stated, adding that La Niña is not a new occurrence and is not the first time temperatures have dropped significantly in Kashmir.
Dr. Ahmad explained that Kashmir might experience fewer Western Disturbances this season, and those that do arrive are unlikely to cause substantial impact.
“Whenever water temperatures drop in the Pacific Ocean, it has been observed that temperatures in Kashmir also decline. However, there is no one-to-one relationship between La Niña and snowfall in Kashmir,” he reiterated.
While higher altitudes in Kashmir are witnessing some snowfall, he said that these events are not significant enough to influence the weather patterns across the Valley.
Pertinently, some reports have been attributing the dropping temperatures in Kashmir to the La Niña effect. Experts had earlier said that the La Niña phenomenon is set to intensify this winter, potentially leading to severe conditions in Kashmir and Ladakh. Predicted increases in snowfall and precipitation could make the regions even harsher.
Dr Ahmad added that as per instances of La Niña years in the past, the Himalayan region experienced above normal precipitation and below normal minimum temperature for 60% of the years (last 50 years) & 40% of the years having normal winter during La Niña years.
There may be some other factors also which can be attributed to above or below normal precipitation.
Notably, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed very little rain and snow the last few years due to the El Nino effect, which impacted the weather conditions across the region, including Kashmir Valley.
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