Srinagar, Jan 21 (IANS): Kashmiris are eagerly waiting for this season's first snowfall, which has eluded the valley so far, as the weather office has forecast widespread rain and snowfall during the next 48 hours in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We are expecting widespread rain and snowfall in the Kashmir valley and the higher reaches of the state beginning today (Wednesday) afternoon," a senior official of the local meteorological department said here.

"Rain and snowfall are expected because of a Western Disturbance that is active over the state at present," he added.

Western disturbances are storm systems originating from the Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, which in their wake bring rain or snow in the region.

The official said due to the cloud cover during the night, the minimum temperature rose to 1.7 degrees Celsius, above the freezing point, in Srinagar Wednesday.

The minimum temperature in Gulmarg was minus three degrees and in Pahalgam it was minus 1.4 degrees Celsius.

While the Leh town recorded the minimum at minus 12.4 degrees Celsius, in Kargil town it was minus 12.8 degrees Celsius.

Jammu recorded 9 degrees as the day's minimum.

Rain and snowfall during winter months are vital for Jammu and Kashmir's water availability during summer when accumulated snows melt. The prospects of a good Rabi crop in these areas also depend on the winter snows and rains.