Fresh snowfall has been recorded in higher reaches of Tulail Valley, Gurez
VC: @BashirTeroo pic.twitter.com/eUU6W5W79h
— Kashmir Weather (@Kashmir_Weather) May 21, 2026
While major parts of India are currently struggling with a brutal heatwave and temperatures reaching up to 47°C (116ºF), the Zojila Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir experienced an unusual and heavy snowfall on Thursday, May 21. According to reports from Republic World, the surprise storm blanketed mountain roads, huts, and open passes near Minamarg in white, creating a winter landscape in what should be the middle of summer.
This weather shift has been a jarring contrast to the rest of the country, where residents are facing extreme heat and high alert levels. Local authorities reported that the Zojila Pass, which connects Kashmir to Ladakh, saw its typical summer melting process halted by the sudden cold front. Visuals shared across social media and covered by News18 showed poor visibility, rain-soaked roads in the valley, and a thick layer of fresh snow covering high-altitude stretches.
Meteorologists report that the unseasonal snow was caused by active Western Disturbances — moisture-carrying weather systems that traveled from the Mediterranean to the Indian subcontinent. When these systems collided with cold mountain air over the Himalayas, it triggered the rare May snowfall. While such weather patterns are typical during the winter, meteorologists noted in Republic World that seeing this much snow in late May is highly unusual and reflects increasingly unpredictable climate patterns.
The heavy rain and snow have brought temporary relief to the Jammu and Kashmir region by dropping local temperatures, but the national heatwave is expected to continue across the plains. As local crews work to clear road blockages caused by the snow, the event remains a vivid example of India’s current climate extremes.
Fresh snowfall at zero point Zojila
Date:- 21 May 2026Video by : Aijaz khan pic.twitter.com/DzDiucUPib
— All About Kashmir (@wakashmir) May 21, 2026