Rooftops were seen covered with snow at an unidentified location in Beijing as the Chinese capital city welcomed in its first snowfall this winter on Sunday, November 1, 2009. [Photo: CFP]
Biting cold and strong wind gripped Chinese provinces on Sunday as Beijing embraced its first snowfall this winter.
National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert against cold front Sunday morning, forecasting strong winds and temperature plummet in north, central and east China.
A temperature drop of as many as 14 degrees Celsius is expected in some parts in the north and east.
In the eastern Shandong Province, passenger shipping service between Yantai to Dalian cities were suspended on Sunday due to cold front and strong winds.
In Beijing, a snow, which started in the wee hours and is getting heavier, covered most of the city proper, capping roofs and lawn in every neighborhood.
Beijing Weather Modification Office said they had used artificial means to increase the snow to ease the lingering drought.
"We wont miss any opportunity of artificial precipitation since Beijing is suffering from the lingering drought," said Zhang Qiang, who is in charge of the office.
The snow, which local media called a "gift", however, is expected to bring troubles to the city's traffic.
"Snowfall and wet roads will definitely cause traffic jam to the city," said a local taxi driver surnamed Xia. "But luckily it's Sunday today when most people do not have to go to work. Or it could have been worse."
As of 11:00 a.m., Beijing has reported no major traffic jam.
Xinhua reporters at the Beijing Capital International Airport said several incoming flights had been delayed. Crowds of stranded passengers are waiting in the departure lounge of the airport.
With the snow came a temperature plummet and strong winds.
The minimum air temperature in Beijing is expected to touch minus three degrees Celsius.
Beijing Municipal Meteorological Observatory issued a warning against strong cold front Saturday night.
"With the advent of the strong cold front, Beijing sees its first snow two months earlier than last year," said Guo Hu, head of the observatory.
Snow-capped vehicles were seen at a residential community in Beijing as the Chinese capital city welcomed in its first snowfall this winter on Sunday, November 1, 2009. [Photo: CFP]
Beijing welcomed in its first snowfall this winter on Saturday night, October 31, 2009. [Photo: CFP]
Beijing welcomed in its first snowfall this winter on Saturday night, October 31, 2009. [Photo: CFP]
