Snow slows traffic, grounds flights in capital

More snow is forecast for Beijing on Thursday, as the capital continues to grapple with slowed traffic and grounded flights caused by Wednesday's unexpected snowfall.

"Moderate snowfall is expected in most parts of Beijing on Thursday, and it will continue until Friday morning," said Li Jing, a publicity official from the Beijing Meteorological Bureau, warning residents to be cautious on the icy roads.

A boy and his mother play in the snow on Wednesday in Beijing. More snow is expected to hit the capital on Thursday. [Photo by WEI XIAOHAO / CHINA DAILY]

But the average daily temperature in the capital will not fall before Sunday, according to a weather forecast released by the bureau on Wednesday.

The lowest temperature in the coming days will be -5 C, but the mercury dropped as low as -10 C in the past week.

The snowfall will slow rush hour traffic in the capital, especially if it is compounded by fog.

A plane is ready for takeoff on the parking apron covered with snow at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Dec 12, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Authorities issued a fog warning on Wednesday and said in some areas, visibility was reduced to 500 meters.

Wednesday's snow and fog caused delays in 13 bus lines and closed the Beijing section of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, according to the local transport bureau.

The snow had delayed 22 flights at Beijing Capital International Airport as of 6 pm on Wednesday. Three flights were canceled.

According to the airport, more than 400 workers and 40 snowplows helped clear the tarmac for 32 flights on Wednesday.

The Beijing Subway had to cover the entrance and exit of the subway stations with non-slip mats and put up warnings about the slippery floors.

Many people traveling during rush hour on Wednesday said they were annoyed by the snowfall, which ended at about noon.