Recently, a wave of cold air has been quite active across China, causing temperatures in several regions to hit new lows for the latter half of the year. Notably, cities like Beijing, Tianjin, and Taiyuan have for the first time this season dipped below freezing. Starting October 21, the effects of a new cold front began to manifest, resulting in temperature drops of 3 to 6 degrees in central and eastern China, with some areas experiencing declines of over 8 degrees.
As the harsh weather sets in, many regions are facing rain and snow. Significant rainfall and localized heavy downpours have been reported in places like Chongqing, Hubei, and Henan. In northwest areas like Xinjiang and Tibet, mixed rain and snow have occurred. By the night of October 20, Mohe in Heilongjiang Province experienced intense snowfall, which escalated to blizzard conditions by midday on the 21st.
In the Hexi region of Gansu, cities like Jiuquan, Zhangye, and Jinchang also encountered rain and snow, leading to temporary traffic restrictions on several highways. Authorities have deployed heavy machinery for snow and ice removal operations. Meanwhile, in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, rain and snow were accompanied by strong winds of 5 to 6 levels, resulting in icy roads and the suspension of some passenger transportation services.
In response to the dropping temperatures, many northern cities have提前启动供暖工作, starting their heating systems earlier this winter. For example, Changchun in Jilin officially began its heating season on the 18th of this month. During a visit to a resident’s home, a reporter noted that the indoor temperature had stabilized at around 25 degrees Celsius.
Starting October 20, Heilongjiang Province also entered its heating season in full swing, with the first thermal power plant in Harbin stockpiling 300,000 tons of coal for the demand ahead. Similarly, cities in Yulin of Shaanxi and Lüliang of Shanxi have also switched on their heating systems ahead of schedule. Other regions like Ningxia and Liaoning have completed pipeline water injections and pressure testing, preparing to provide heating as needed based on weather conditions.
According to the Central Meteorological Observatory, the northeastern regions can expect continued rain and snow on October 22 and 23, with moderate to heavy precipitation predicted. In particular, eastern Jilin and eastern Heilongjiang are likely to see rain transitioning to snow, with local areas experiencing blizzard conditions. Residents are advised to exercise caution while traveling and to be aware of potential impacts on agricultural facilities.
