China is currently experiencing one of the coldest spells of the winter season this year, affecting many areas across the country, leading to heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures.
According to the Inner Mongolia News, some cities in Inner Mongolia recorded snowfall on December 12. Starting on December 13, the weather in this area began to turn cloudy with forecasts of brief sunny spells.
However, weather forecasters said the cold air will cause temperatures to drop sharply, especially from December 14 to 15, with temperatures possibly dropping by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius.
China's Meteorological Administration confirmed significant snowfall across Shandong and northern China. "Rain and snow have fallen across parts of Shandong, with northeastern and central areas of the province reporting rain," Chinanews reported.
With temperatures plunging, many areas in China are bracing for the possibility of a strong cold front affecting transport networks and energy supplies.
More than 8,000 personnel were deployed overnight to clear snow from roads and prevent traffic disruptions, especially around Jinan, where the first snowfall of the winter fell on December 13.
The weather is changing, with local meteorological agencies predicting more snow accumulation in the coming week. According to the Jinan Meteorological Station, a new cold front will bring freezing temperatures in the coming days. Overall, this year’s early winter snowfall is expected to exceed the average recorded in previous winters.
The cold snap is also having a major impact across southern China. Southern Weekend reports that many cities are likely to record their coldest days of the winter this year, with minimum temperatures forecast to drop below zero degrees Celsius. The unusual temperature drop is believed to be caused by a sudden influx of cold air masses, causing freezing rain and snowfall even in areas not normally prone to such phenomena.
The worst winter weather impacts typically occur in January and February, but forecasters note that an additional cold front is expected to arrive between December 17 and December 19, raising concerns about more snow and wind. Many local weather stations are urging residents to prepare, noting that temperatures will drop significantly by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius (4 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit) as a strong cold front arrives early next week.
According to SCMP, the temperature in Hong Kong (China) dropped to its lowest level since the beginning of this winter on the morning of December 14, with the temperature reaching 13.8 degrees Celsius. Weather forecasters predict that the temperature in Hong Kong will remain cold on December 15 and gradually warm up next week. Temperatures next week are forecast to be between 13 and 22 degrees Celsius, with colder weather in the morning and evening.
The Hong Kong Observatory (China) said that the cold air along the coast of Guangdong province is due to strong northeast monsoon affecting this area.
