Srinagar, Dec 19 (IANS): The twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir -- Srinagar and Jammu city -- witnessed the coldest night of the season, with the minimum temperatures dropping to minus 4.4 and 4.5 degrees Celsius respectively, the Met office said.

"It was the coldest night of the season in Srinagar city today (Saturday) as the minimum temperature dropped to minus 4.4. Jammu city also witnessed the coldest night of the season at 4.5 degrees Celsius," a Met official told IANS.

The official said the minimum temperature was minus 7.9 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus 10.5 in Gulmarg. In Leh and Kargil towns of Ladakh region, the minimum temperatures were minus 13.7 and minus 10.2 degrees respectively.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 6.0 degress in Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine base town of Katra, 1.0 in Batote, minus 1.5 in Bannihal and minus 1.7 degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah town.

The 40-day long traditional period of extreme cold called the 'Chillai Kalan' begins on December 21.