Snow, Cold Hit Southern China

By , Senior Meteorologist
Jan 19, 2011; 11:50 AM ET
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Snow, ice and rain have spread over eastern, central and southwestern China since the beginning of the week, affecting millions of people.

Weather data show that the highest snowfall as of Wednesday reached at least 1 foot in hard-hit areas of eastern Guzhou into Hunan. Substantial sleet and freezing rain also fell in a swath of south-central and southwestern China.


AP Photo of snow on Shanghai playground on Jan. 18, 2011.

China media reported on Wednesday that heavy snow brought down a temporary train station shelter in Guiyang, Guizhou province, early Wednesday. Guiyang is the capital of this southwestern province.

Reports say that the collapse injured two people.

The bad weather Tuesday into Wednesday led to the closing of the local airport.

Meteorologists at AccuWeather.com believe that a few inches (about 10 cm) of snow, along with some sleet and freezing rain, fell in Guiyang.

The mean temperature Monday through Wednesday was about 15 degrees F, or 8 degrees C, below normal.


Bing Map of central, southern China

Meanwhile, in Chongqing municipality, the cold and freezing of exposed pipes may have been the cause behind the reported loss of tap water supply to thousands of homes.

Unusual cold will persist over southern China through the week and beyond. The latest bout of widespread snow, ice and rain, however, will end on Thursday, although more such adverse weather could follow before the end of the week.

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