Even as the Meteorological Department predicted that the weather would remain inclement until today, Jammu and Kashmir experienced snowfall and intermittent rain for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday, triggering a sharp drop in temperatures across the region. An Akashvani Jammu correspondent reports that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 9.5 degrees Celsius, about 6.5 degrees below normal, while Pahalgam recorded 7.0 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg remained the coldest at 2.5 degrees Celsius. In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum of 20.2 degrees Celsius, over 7 degrees below normal. Other places including Banihal, Batote and Bhaderwah also recorded below-normal temperatures. Light to moderate rainfall was recorded at most places, with Baramulla receiving 29.5 mm, Poonch 29 mm and Batote 25.5 mm. Gulmarg recorded around 23 cm of fresh snowfall, while Pahalgam received over 20 mm of precipitation. Fresh snowfall of around 5 to 6 inches was also reported in Gulmarg since Tuesday. The MeT Department said that generally cloudy skies with intermittent light to moderate rain or snow are expected at most places today. The higher reaches of the Chenab Valley and South Kashmir may receive moderate to heavy snowfall. The MeT office also warned of thunder and strong winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kmph at isolated places, along with the possibility of hailstorms, particularly in parts of the Jammu region. The department said that weather conditions are expected to improve from March 21, with generally dry weather likely to prevail until March 25, except for a brief spell of rain or snow at isolated places around March 23. Another spell of rain and snowfall is likely towards the end of the month, between March 29 and 31. Travelers and transporters have been advised to plan their movement carefully, especially across higher reaches and key mountain passes. Farmers have been advised to resume agricultural operations from March 21 onwards, subject to local conditions.