A major cold front is sweeping across China, bringing blizzards, high winds and significant temperature drops. The National Meteorological Center has issued multiple weather alerts, warning of hazardous conditions across much of the country.
Beginning on Saturday and continuing through Monday, large areas in central and eastern China will experience a sharp decline in temperatures. Temperatures are forecast to plummet by 8 to 12 degrees Celsius in many areas, with some regions, including central Inner Mongolia, central and southern Shaanxi, central and northern Shanxi, western Henan and the northern part of the Sichuan Plateau, bracing for even more drastic drops exceeding 14 degrees Celsius.
The heavy snowfall has already caused widespread disruption to road travel. As of Friday, 79 road sections were affected by snow and icy conditions, including 25 major road closures impacting 17 highways, four national roads, three provincial roads and numerous toll stations across several provinces. The reopening times for these roads remain uncertain.
Snowfall is expected to continue impacting travel over the coming days. On Sunday and Monday, the focus of the heavy snowfall will shift northeastward, with significant snowfall expected in eastern Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and Jilin.
Although the snowfall in Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi and western Henan will likely subside by Sunday, accumulated snow is expected to persist due to the continuing cold temperatures.
The combination of deep snow and freezing conditions poses a significant challenge for road travel, particularly in mountainous areas.
Airports in northeast China’s Shenyang and Changchun cities could face flight delays and cancellations due to snow and icy runways from late Sunday to the morning of Tuesday. Flight delays are also expected at southwest China’s Kunming Airport around Monday.
Separately, high winds in Xinjiang have led to the suspension of numerous train services on Friday. Passengers with tickets for cancelled trains can get refunds or make alternative arrangements without incurring fees.
Railway authorities are closely monitoring the weather and will resume services as soon as conditions improve. Travelers are advised to check the 12306.cn website or contact railway customer service for the latest updates.