Schools, public venues shut as cold wave intensifies

China's weather authority on Monday maintained yellow alerts — the third-highest level after red and orange — for cold waves, blizzards and freezing conditions, warning that the current round of sharp temperature drops has entered its most intense phase, prompting class suspensions and public venue closures in several provinces.

The National Meteorological Centre retained yellow alerts for cold waves, blizzards and icing on Monday morning, forecasting drops of between 6 to 10 C over the next three days in Huanghuai region — covering areas between the Yellow and Huaihe rivers in central and eastern China — and areas farther south.

Parts of South China and Guizhou province could see temperature drops of 10 to 14 C, the center added.

On Monday, heavy snow and freezing rain hit Henan, Shaanxi, Anhui, Hubei and Hunan provinces. Western Hunan and eastern Guizhou recorded freezing rain accumulations of 4 to 6 millimeters.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, precipitation in southern regions is expected to gradually ease, but temperatures will continue to fall.

By Wednesday morning, daytime high temperatures in provincial capitals, including Changsha in Hunan, Nanchang in Jiangxi province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, are forecast to hover around 0 C.

Temperatures in most southern regions are expected to gradually rebound starting Friday.

Weather authorities warned that the cold wave is marked by sharp temperature drops and a wide impact area, with many provinces experiencing rapid transitions between rain, sleet and snow. Hunan and Guizhou are expected to see large amounts of freezing rain over a prolonged period.

The public has been urged to guard against road icing, snow accumulation and extreme cold, reduce outdoor activities and travel cautiously.

In response, multiple provinces and cities announced class suspensions and traffic controls. In Anhui, parts of Bozhou, Suzhou and Fuyang suspended classes at compulsory education schools and kindergartens on Monday and Tuesday. High schools were encouraged to make arrangements based on local weather conditions.

As of Monday afternoon, the province had issued a provincial yellow blizzard alert and dozens of yellow cold wave alerts.

Meanwhile, Xuzhou in Jiangsu province ordered all primary and secondary schools and kindergartens to suspend classes for two days starting Monday.

Several amusement parks and scenic areas in Jiangsu announced temporary closures beginning on Monday, including major attractions in Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou and Lianyungang.

Due to snow and icy roads, traffic controls were implemented on some expressways in the province, with certain entrances closed.

Ferry services were also suspended in multiple locations because of strong winds, while some train services at stations in Wuxi were canceled, according to local authorities.