China was hit by snowstorms and strong cold air over the weekend, with the severe weather forecast to continue as the country celebrates the Lunar New Year 2025 from January 29.
Temperatures are forecast to drop more than 10 degrees Celsius below seasonal averages in some areas during this cold snap.
Northern China is forecast to see the harshest weather. Maximum temperatures in Shenyang are expected to drop by more than 13 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Yinchuan could drop to -8 degrees Celsius.
Snowstorms have hit northwestern China, with some areas dumping up to 8cm of snow. More snow is forecast to hit China this weekend, causing disruption to travel during the Lunar New Year holiday.
The latest cold front to hit China is mainly caused by a polar vortex that pushes cold air from the north southward. This is exacerbated by a Siberian high pressure system that funnels cold, dry air from Siberia southward, trapping the cold, dry air and causing temperatures to drop further in northern China.
High pressure and cold air mass in China have moved south into Thailand, causing a sharp drop in temperature and strong winds in Thailand.
Northern, central and eastern Thailand, including the capital Bangkok, saw temperatures drop by 2-4 degrees Celsius, while northeastern Thailand saw temperatures drop by 3-5 degrees Celsius.
According to the Thai National Meteorological Department, La Nina is likely to cause strong southeasterly winds in the coming months. This will increase humidity, increase the frequency of thunderstorms and cause temperatures to drop below average.
Also weather-related during this period, Alaska, USA, is forecast to be hit by severe storms over the weekend. Heavy rain, strong winds and snow are expected, prompting officials to issue a blizzard warning. Strong winds, with gusts of up to 73 mph (116 km/h), have lashed southern areas, and heavy rains have caused significant flooding in low-lying areas across southern and central Alaska.
Avalanche warnings have been issued for several areas, including Turnagain Pass, Summit Lake and Chugach State Park. The combination of strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall has created unstable snow conditions, increasing the risk of avalanches. Temperatures are expected to plummet over the weekend as a cold front from the Arctic moves in, forecast to be the coldest of the winter.
