Srinagar, Mar 12 (IANS): More than a month after the end of harsh winter period of 'Chillai-Kalan', cold conditions have returned in the Kashmir valley.

It has been raining in the plains and snowing in the upper reaches of Gulmarg and Banihal since Wednesday night.

The weatherman has forecast that the cold weather conditions will persist in the Kashmir Valley over the next 24 hours.

The cold conditions are due to a fresh western disturbance, an official of the MeT department told IANS.

The cold spell in Kashmir has caused a major dip in temperatures. Srinagar recorded a night temperature of 4.6 degrees while the ski resort of Gulmarg recorded a night temperature of minus 2.2 degrees.

"Rain and snow is forcast in Jammu & Kashmir over the next 24 hours," the MeT official told IANS. "The weather will improve from Friday afternoon onwards."

This year the winter has been extremely harsh with several rounds of snow. The 40-day-long 'Chillai-Kalan' was particularly severe.

Meanwhile the Jammu-Srinagar National highway has been closed since last night due to landslides triggered by heavy rains.

Many vehicles mostly trucks are stuck on the highway.