Jammu/Srinagar, Jan 24 (IANS): The cold wave intensified further in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as the gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures narrowed down both in Jammu and Srinagar city.

The Trikuta Hills housing the holy Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district received the season's first snowfall on Tuesday.

"The chill factor increases when the gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures narrow. The maximum temperature in Jammu on Tuesday was 13.5 and the minimum on Wednesday is six. Similarly in Srinagar it was 7.1 degrees Celsius and the minimum is minus 4.3," the Met official said.

The weather was, however, expected to improve from Wednesday and the day temperatures were again expected to rise on Thursday and Friday, a Met official said.

The minimum temperature was minus 5.9 in Pahalgam and minus 8 in Gulmarg.

At minus 20, Kargil was the coldest town in the state, followed by Leh at minus 8.8.

Katra town was at 5.4, Batote 0.4, Banihal minus 1.5, Bhaderwah 0.4 and Udhampur at 3.8 degrees Celsius.