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Freezing rain hits Beijing and neighboring regions

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-09 13:10

BEIJING: Freezing rain and sleet hit Beijing's downtown area on Monday.

Related readings:  Cold snap to blanket Beijing in more snow  Cold front and snow to hold Beijing, from Sunday to Wednesday  Snow forecast as city prepares for new cold snap

Ice droplets about 2 to 5 mm in diameter were reported falling across the city.

The capital's meteorological station said the icy rain would be followed by snow Monday evening, and the sleet would continue to Thursday.

Zhang Mingying, senior engineer with the station, said sleet in Beijing was rare in November, and the average temperature this week was about six degrees Celsius below average for the time of year.

December was the usual month for icy weather, he said.

Beijing residents are not familiar with frozen rain. A man surnamed Wei said he thought it was hail.

"The ice battered my car window as I was driving along Chang'an Avenue. I was surprised," he said.

"It hit the windows of my home loudly, and I was surprised it was not rain but ice," said a resident of Wanjing community in eastern Beijing.