Wednesday, February 21, 2024
China faces severe cold with warnings in south & snow in Beijing. Temps to drop sharply, prompting alerts for safety and crop protection.
Extreme cold weather alerts were issued throughout many regions of China on a recent Wednesday, as the south experienced significant drops in temperature and the capital, Beijing, faced wintry snowy conditions. The national weather authority reissued a high-level orange warning—the second highest in a three-level system—alerting to a potential decrease in temperatures by six to 12 degrees Celsius by the end of the week in the southern parts, currently hovering around the freezing point.
In particular regions, the mercury was expected to plummet by over 20 degrees Celsius, according to a statement from the National Meteorological Center (NMC) shared on social platforms. The official Xinhua news agency reported that the NMC urged local administrations to prepare for the frigid conditions, encouraged residents to stay warm, and emphasized the importance of safeguarding agricultural and aquatic resources.
In Beijing, temperatures were near the freezing mark on Wednesday, with the city waking up to a snowy landscape after an overnight snowstorm. The snowfall led to slower traffic on major roads and slippery conditions for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Local officials reported snow accumulation of up to 4.1 centimeters (1.6 inches) in certain suburban districts and cautioned about the risk of icy streets. They advised the community to adjust travel plans, prioritize public transportation, drive cautiously, and be mindful of safety, as stated in a digital announcement on Tuesday night.
Tourists, including those visiting the iconic Forbidden City adorned in historic attire, embraced the chilly weather, finding joy in the scenic snow-covered setting. Long Yan, a visitor from Sichuan province in the southwest aged 55, expressed her delight to AFP, noting the snow and decorative dragon lanterns as symbols of abundance and good fortune. She remarked, “Seeing this snow makes me incredibly joyful. It’s a promising sign of prosperity for the year ahead.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
