By Thursday morning, the upper slopes above Gulmarg had changed colour. A thin white layer settled over Apharwat and the Gondola Phase 2 area overnight — the season's first snowfall — while far to the north, snow was reported in Tulail's Koebal Gali in Gurez.
Down in the valley, it was rain, not snow. Overnight showers lashed the plains of Kashmir, and officials have warned that the heavy spell carries a risk of flash floods and landslides.
Where the Snow Fell — and Where It Didn't
The snowfall was confined to the higher reaches. In Gulmarg, the popular ski resort in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, snow fell during the night across the upper areas, with Apharwat and Gondola Phase 2 among the spots covered.
In Gurez, fresh snowfall was reported from Koebal Gali in Tulail during the early morning hours, according to weather updates shared on social media.
The plains, meanwhile, saw only rain — a reminder that Kashmir's first taste of winter arrives at altitude long before it reaches the valley floor.
Why a Thin Layer of Snow Matters in Kashmir
For most of India, September snow is a curiosity. In Kashmir, it is a calendar marker. The first dusting on the high passes signals that the weather is turning, that the trekking and travel season in the upper reaches is narrowing, and that the machinery of winter — road clearance, supplies to cut-off villages, heating arrangements — will soon need to be ready.
It also matters economically. Gulmarg's identity is built on snow. An early start to the season lifts expectations among hoteliers, guides, ponywallahs and shikara operators whose incomes depend on visitors arriving for the white slopes.
The Rain Below Is the Real Concern
The snowfall is scenic. The rain is the part officials are watching. The Meteorological Department has warned of flash floods and landslides amid the heavy spell — a standard but serious caution in a region where steep slopes, loose soil and fast-rising streams can turn a night of rain into a hazard within hours.
Landslide risk is highest along hill roads and in areas recently disturbed by construction or deforestation. Flash floods are a particular danger in narrow side valleys, where water levels can rise with little warning.
Who Is Affected Right Now
Travellers heading to Gulmarg or into the Gurez valley are the most immediately affected. Higher reaches can turn slippery and fog-bound quickly, and the Gondola and other high-altitude activities may be curtailed depending on conditions.
Residents of low-lying areas and villages along streams face the flood and landslide caution. Farmers with standing crops in the valley will be watching the rain closely, as will apple growers in the middle of a sensitive harvest period.
What Officials Have Said
Officials confirmed the snowfall in the upper reaches of Gulmarg and the rain across the valley plains. The Meteorological Department's warning of flash floods and landslides is the key official advisory attached to this weather event.
Weather trackers reported the Gurez snowfall from Koebal Gali in Tulail in the early hours of the morning. No damage or casualty reports have been confirmed in connection with the snowfall itself.
Confirmed Facts vs What Remains Unclear
Confirmed: Snowfall in the upper reaches of Gulmarg, including Apharwat and Gondola Phase 2; snowfall reported in Tulail, Gurez; overnight rain across the Kashmir Valley plains; an official warning of flash flood and landslide risk.
Unclear: The exact depth of accumulation at each location, whether any roads or passes have been closed, and whether the warning has been upgraded to a specific alert level. Readers should treat social media snow videos from unverified accounts with caution.
The Pattern Behind an Early Dusting
Kashmir's high-altitude snowfall in September is not unusual, but its timing and intensity vary year to year. What is consistent is the sequence: rain in the valley, snow above, and a slow descent of cold weather toward the plains over the following weeks.
This year's first dusting fits that pattern. Whether it becomes a strong winter depends on the Western Disturbances that feed moisture into the region through the coming months.
What Travellers and Residents Should Do Now
If you are planning a trip to Gulmarg or Gurez in the coming days, check road and weather conditions before leaving, carry warm and waterproof layers, and keep buffer time for delays. Avoid stream banks and steep, freshly cut slopes during heavy rain.
Residents in vulnerable areas should follow local administration advisories and avoid crossing swollen streams or nullahs. Farmers should monitor the rain forecast for the next 48 hours.
What Could Happen Next
If the rain continues, expect the landslide and flash flood caution to stay in force, with possible disruption on hill roads. If the weather clears, the snow line may retreat briefly before the next spell pushes it lower.
The larger direction is clear: Kashmir is moving into its colder season, and the first snow on Gulmarg and Gurez is the opening note.
Our Take
This is a small weather event with a large symbolic weight. For tourists, it is a photograph. For Kashmir's mountain economy, it is the start of the season that matters most. And for officials, it is the first test of the year's winter preparedness — a reminder that the same system bringing beauty to the slopes is also bringing risk to the valleys below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the season's first snowfall occur in Kashmir?
The season's first snowfall was reported in the upper reaches of Gulmarg — including Apharwat and Gondola Phase 2 — and in Tulail's Koebal Gali area of Gurez.
Did it snow in the Kashmir Valley plains?
No. The plains received overnight rain, not snow. The snowfall was confined to the higher reaches.
Has the weather department issued any warning?
Yes. The Meteorological Department has warned of flash floods and landslides amid the heavy rain.
Is it safe to travel to Gulmarg or Gurez right now?
Travel is possible but conditions in the higher reaches can change quickly. Check the latest weather and road updates, carry warm waterproof clothing, and follow local advisories, especially during heavy rain.
