Srinagar, Jan 13 (IANS): The minimum temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir rose Tuesday due to nightlong cloud cover. The weather office has forecast rain and snowfall in the Kashmir Valley.

"Minimum temperature in Srinagar and Pahalgam showed improvement, recording 0.2 degree Celsius and 2.2 degrees Celsius respectively", a weather official told IANS.

The official said it was for the first time in the last one month that the minimum temperatures in Srinagar and Pahalgam rose above the freezing point.

However, Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius Tuesday.

The weather office has forecast light to moderate rain and snowfall in the valley over the next two-three days.

Kargil town of Ladakh region was the coldest in the state at minus 10 degrees Celsius while Leh recorded minus 7.3 degrees as the day's minimum.

"The night temperature of Jammu city was 7 degrees Celsius today", the official said.

The valley is in midst of 40-day harsh period of winter locally known as "Chillai Kalan", which began Dec 21.