Srinagar- Renowned weatherman and former Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Sonam Lotus, on Wednesday said winter is expected to arrive earlier than usual this year in Jammu and Kashmir, though it is too early to predict whether the season will be harsh or mild.

Lotus said early snowfall and the onset of icy winds could cause temperatures to drop sooner than usual.“As per current meteorological patterns, winter may begin earlier than usual, and Jammu and Kashmir could experience below-normal temperatures in October and November due to early snowfall and cold winds,” he explained.

Addressing social media speculation about La Niña causing a severe winter, Lotus clarified,“We cannot confirm this at the moment. Weather patterns beyond three weeks are difficult to forecast reliably.”

According to him, current meteorological models indicate a likelihood of above-normal snowfall during October and November. However, he emphasized that these are short-term trends and should not be interpreted as indicators of the overall severity of winter.

Regarding peak winter months, Lotus said temperatures in December and January could drop to around minus 8°C, particularly in higher reaches, but extreme dips below that are unlikely at this stage.

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