Srinagar, Dec 21 (IANS): Rain and snowfall are expected in the Kashmir Valley during the next two days, the weather office said Sunday.

"We are expecting rain in the plains and snowfall in the higher reaches of the valley Dec 22-23," a weather official told IANS here.

"The night temperature has improved after more than a week though it continues to remain below the freezing point in the valley and Ladakh region," he said.

The minimum temperature rose to minus 1.8 in Srinagar Sunday against minus 4.4 Saturday.

The minimum temperature was minus 2.8 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg, minus 2.4 degrees in Pahalgam, minus 6 degrees in Leh and minus 9.6 degrees Celsius in Kargil town, he said.

In Jammu city, the night temperature was 4.5 Celsius. "The improvement in minimum temperatures happened because of cloud cover at night," the official said.

The 40-day period of harsh winter known as 'Chilla Kalan' started here Sunday and will end Jan 31.

During the period, Kashmiris have to brave bitter cold. Even the maximum temperature hovers around zero degrees Celsius.