Cold snap sends temperatures tumbling during holiday

Scooter riders cover up with scarves and masks to brave the cold weather in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, where temperatures have dropped below 20 C for the first time since summer. YU TIAN/FOR CHINA DAILY

A strong cold front that has swept north to south has sent temperatures plummeting in many parts of China, with more chilly weather expected to come on Sunday.

Residents in the north should also brace for more smog on Friday, according to forecasts by the National Meteorological Center.

The country has been enjoying an eight-day break since Sunday for National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival. Yet many people in the north have had to celebrate in the coldest weather for years.

The highest temperature in Beijing on Monday was 19 C, down by 7 degrees from the day before. Some areas in the northeast have experienced a drop of between 12 to 20 degrees, bringing temperatures to below zero.

Due to the cold front, the northeastern part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region experienced its coldest Mid-Autumn Day in a decade on Wednesday, when the mercury fell by more than 10 degrees.

The region is forecast to see snow from Thursday to Saturday, according to the local meteorological center. Authorities have warned drivers about potentially icy road conditions and suggested tourists wrap up warm as they return home after the holiday.

From Tuesday to Thursday, Chongqing as well as Sichuan and Hubei provinces have also been hit by heavy rains, which meant many residents were unable to see the bright full moon with their families, a tradition of Mid-Autumn Festival.

The cold front has also affected the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwestern China, bringing snow to Hami prefecture and the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture. Snowfall in some areas has reached 20 centimeters.

Although rain and snow has caused problems for some, others have been enjoying the stunning views created by the weather conditions.

Ma Xin, 60, has spent the holiday in Kanas, an area in Xinjiang's Altay prefecture that is famous for its lakes created by glacial movement.

"It suddenly began to snow on Thursday when I was taking pictures of the golden pine tree forests. It was just magical," he said.

Ma, who lives in the regional capital, Urumqi, said he often visits Kanas to enjoy the scenery and noted that the snow had fallen earlier than usual this year.

However, he added that he would be cutting his trip short this year because he is concerned the roads will be icy, and thus the traffic will be slower.