Extreme Cold Grips Mainland China: What’s Behind the Unusual Weather?

The temperature in the suburbs of Beijing, China, dropped to -14.3 degrees Celsius (6.26 degrees Fahrenheit) on the 17th./Beijing Qingnianbao.

An extreme cold wave has been sweeping mainland China for nearly a week. An unusual phenomenon has appeared where the temperature in the south of Guangdong province is lower than in the plateau region of Tibet in the northwest. Most local governments in China have issued emergency “low-temperature warnings,” preparing for contingencies.

According to a report in Beijing Qingnianbao, on the 18th, the major cities across 31 provinces and autonomous regions in China experienced their lowest temperatures of the year. In certain areas, they even confronted unprecedented cold spells. Notably, in Tangwang County, Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province, the temperature plummeted to -48 degrees Celsius (-54.4 degrees Fahrenheit). This marks the first time in 43 years that the mercury has dipped below the -47.9 degrees Celsius (-54.22 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded on January 13, 1980.

Lowest temperatures observed in major cities across China

Reports indicate that December temperatures in several regions of Hebei Province, Shanxi, Shandong, Jilin, Liaoning Province, and Tianjin City have reached their lowest points on record. Specifically, five weather observation centers in Shanxi, Hebei, and Liaoning provinces have recorded the lowest temperatures since their establishment.

The same goes for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. These regions are located in the northern part of the continent, like Heilongjiang Province. Most areas are observed to have temperatures around -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). Gao Chunhao, a Beijing office worker from Inner Mongolia, said, “Inner Mongolia is not originally a place with high temperatures. However, this is the first time in 10 years that it has dropped to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit).” He seems to have a good reason to worry about his relatives in his hometown.

Even the capital city, Beijing, has not been immune to the chill. On the 17th, the temperature plummeted to -14.3 degrees Celsius (6.26 degrees Fahrenheit), a rarity in previous years and the lowest of this winter season. It’s anticipated that this record will be surpassed with ease, as the forecast predicts a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) on the 20th. Shanghai shares a similar story. Although the city experienced its first freezing temperatures around the 14th of this year, residents are preparing for a more frequent occurrence of cold spells.

This cold wave is expected to subside around the 23rd. However, more severe colds will come more often than in previous years. Weather phenomena are also likely to occur frequently.

By. Soon Do Hong