Srinagar, Jan 23 (IANS): The Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region on Tuesday continued to be gripped by a cold wave, with officials forecasting rain and snow in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

MET Director Sonam Lotus told IANS that a feeble western disturbance could trigger light to moderate rains at many places in the plains and snowfall on the higher reaches of Jammu region and at a few places of the Valley till Wednesday.

"The weather will start improving thereafter," Lotus said.

The day temperatures were likely to hover around 12 degrees Celsius in the Valley while nights would remain several notches below the freezing point till Thursday.

The night's lowest temperature in Srinagar was minus 3.7 Celsius while in Pahalgam it was minus 5 and minus 5.2 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg.

At minus 19.2 degrees, Kargil was the coldest town in the state followed by Leh at minus 14.

Jammu city recorded 7.2, Katra 6.7, Batote 2.7, Banihal minus 1.5 and Udhampur was at 1 degree Celsius.