Srinagar, Dec 17 (IANS): The free fall of mercury continued across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh Saturday with cities and towns in both regions recording some of their lowest temperatures till now.

Srinagar recorded minus 4.3 degrees, the lowest in the city this season so far.

"Leh was the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir with the minimum temperature there dipping to minus 14.0 degrees Celsius while Kargil town recorded minus 12.0 degrees," an official of the local meteorological department told IANS here.

The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded minus 8.2 while Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius.

The official also said the night temperatures would continue to fall further during the next two days because of clear, windy nights across the valley.

"On the afternoon of Dec 19, we are expecting the arrival of a Western disturbance, which could result in light rains in the plains and a mild snowfall in the higher reaches. This would bring in respite for the locals who have been experiencing severe cold, especially during the nights", the official added.

'Western disturbance' is the term used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal to describe an extra-tropical storm originating in the Mediterranean Sea region that brings sudden winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian sub-continent.

Western disturbances are important for the Rabi (winter) crops in the northern parts of the Indian sub-continent.