Srinagar, Feb 3 - For the first time in 40 days, the minimum temperature in Srinagar rose above the freezing point early Friday even as the weather office forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in the valley.

"After 40 days, the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point in Srinagar. The minimum temperature was two degrees Celsius," Sonam Lotus, director of the meteorological office here, told IANS.

"Moderate to heavy snowfall is likely to occur in Kashmir Saturday and Sunday. The weather disturbance will continue till Feb 7," he added.

The minimum temperature was well below the freezing point at 2.8 in Pahalgam and minus 5.6 in Gulmarg. Leh at minus 13.2 and Kargil at minus 15.6 degrees Celsius continued to be in the grip of severe cold.

In view of the adverse weather forecast, authorities have decided to restrict vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Jammu highway on Feb 4 and 5.

The provincial administration has instructed the traffic authorities to ensure that traffic does not move on the highway during the expected heavy snowfall in the Pir Panjal mountain range to prevent any mishap. Landslides are common in this stretch of the highway. (IANS)