First snow of the season hits cities in China

World Today

First snow of the season hits cities in China

Snow hit Beijing and many other areas in north and northeast China on Sunday.

Snow on The Forbidden City

Sleet and the first snow this winter started falling in Yanqing and Miyun districts in the Chinese capital around noon.

The light snow also gathered on sections of the Great Wall and the ancient buildings nestled beneath it.

Moderate to heavy snow is expected across the city early Monday, and temperatures are forecast to drop by about 10 degrees Celsius, according to the Beijing Meteorological Department.

Snow also hit Chengde City in north China’s Hebei Province, prompting the need for traffic control on local highways. Further snowfall, strong winds and temperature drops are expected in the city on Monday.

Meanwhile, much heavier snow has swept Heilongjiang Province in northeast China and the northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region since Friday, forcing traffic authorities to shut down local highways due to hazardous road conditions.

As of Sunday afternoon, most of the highways in Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang, remain closed, affecting travelers catching long-distance buses.

Bus services in Tongliao City in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region remained suspended on Sunday as snowplows continued to clean up roads. Normal services are expected to resume the following day.

Many parts of the region will likely see further snowfall on Monday. 

Story by CCTV News