The National Meteorological Center on Wednesday issued blue alerts for a cold wave and strong winds, forecasting a sharp temperature drop and the first large-scale snowfall of the winter across northern China.

The China Meteorological Administration also activated a Level IV emergency response for cold waves, strong winds and blizzards.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most urgent. It also has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

From Wednesday to Saturday, most regions will see temperatures fall by 6 to 10 degrees Celsius, with some areas experiencing declines of 10 to 12 degrees and local drops reaching 14 to 16 degrees. By the morning of December 14, a zero-degree-Celsius isotherm is forecast to move south into parts of the Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hubei provinces.

Light to moderate snow or sleet is forecast from Wednesday in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. It is expected to expand on Thursday and Friday to include provinces such as Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei and Henan, where heavy snow or blizzards are likely. This will mark the winter's first widespread snowfall in northern China.

Meteorological experts warn that the cold wave's broad impact, rapid temperature decline, and strong winds may increase risks of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.

Heavy snow in China's northern regions may disrupt transportation, and authorities urge timely road clearing and heightened public caution.

Explainer: China's 4-tier emergency response system

(Cover: Frost on leaves in Qingdao, Shandong Province, east China, December 9, 2025. /VCG)