Snowfall and strong winds sweep across China

A cold wave is sweeping across China, causing snowfall and strong winds that may disrupt transportation, energy supply, and agriculture in affected areas, the National Meteorological Center said Monday.

The center's blue alerts for cold wave and strong wind, the lowest level in China's four-tier weather warning system, remain in effect.

The center forecast that this cold wave, which started Sunday, is expected to see temperatures drop between 6 C and 12 C daily in many areas in China from Monday through Wednesday. In the southern part of East China's Anhui province, the fall could exceed 14 C.

From Monday to Tuesday, the cold wave is forecast to cause snow in most parts of China, including Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei provinces. Meanwhile, in regions along the Yangtze River and parts of South China, it is expected to bring small to moderate rain, the center said.

At the same time, coastal areas, including East China's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, are expected to face gusty winds, posing risks to maritime activities, the center said.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, parts of the Xizang autonomous region and Northwest China's Qinghai province will experience light snow or sleet, the center added.

The center forecast that from Wednesday to Thursday, light snow or sleet is expected in parts of the Xizang and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions, Southwest China's Sichuan province, and Northeast China's Heilongjiang province.