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China braces for sudden shift from warm to cold weather
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Snowfall in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, November 6, 2023. /CFP
Over the last week, heavy snow and blizzards have blanketed vast sections of the northeast Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang and Liaoning, interrupting transportation and causing poor road visibility.
According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), a stream of cold air entering China from the northwest significantly decreased temperatures.
Local authorities have implemented emergency measures in reaction to the heavy snow, including the temporary suspension of school sessions and commercial operations, as well as the early activation of centralized heating systems.
Maximum temperatures in the northeast are forecast to drop to single digits or below freezing as cold air moves east and south, according to the CMA.
Police officers direct traffic, Jixi, Heilongjiang Province, November 9, 2023. /CFP
However, winter this year may be warmer due to a moderate El Niño, according to Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of China's National Climate Centre, at a press briefing on November 3.
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that is characterized by rising ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. The occurrence occurs every two to seven years and lasts nine to twelve months.
"The sea surface temperature in the east-central equatorial Pacific will continue to exceed 0.5C in November, and the El Nino event will persist in the 2023/2024 winter, with a peak intensity of 1.5-2C," Jia stated.
However, Jia suggested, studies revealed that winter temperatures could vary significantly during El Niño.
(If you have specific expertise and want to contribute, or if you have a topic of interest that you'd like to share with us, please email us at nature@cgtn.com.)
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Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466