The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Cold Dew, (Chinese: 寒露), the 17th solar term of the year, begins this year on Oct 8 and ends on Oct 23.

At this time, temperatures are much lower than in White Dew in most areas of China. The dew is greater and colder and there will be less rain. Autumn crops will be ripe.

Here are eight things you should know about Cold Dew.

Foggy autumn

Temperatures drop significantly in October. When the cold air encounters autumn rain, the abundant water vapor in the air soon reaches saturation, and then it turns into misty rain or fog. When the humidity is high, there will be foggy regions formed in many areas of China.

Mallards in mist. [Photo/IC]