China’s Shandong Peninsula is experiencing severe snowstorms, with Yantai and Wendeng setting new historic highs for snow depth amidst a severe cold wave affecting parts of the country.
The Shandong Peninsula in China is currently undergoing a historic blizzard, with seven days of snowfall out of the past ten. Yantai and Wendeng have seen record-breaking snow depths of 52 cm (20.4 inches) and 55 cm (21.6 inches), respectively, marking this as the most significant blizzard ever recorded along China’s coast.
This extreme weather event is part of a broader cold wave sweeping across China. Northern regions are experiencing temperatures near historic lows, impacting transportation and even causing mechanical issues, such as a brake failure on a Beijing commuter train. The southern province of Guangdong, usually experiencing milder winters, witnessed rare snowfall.
Contrary to earlier predictions of a warmer winter due to El Niño, China has seen a week of exceptionally cold weather. In Shanghai, residents observed snow flurries, while Beijing’s temperatures dropped to -15.5 °C (4.1 °F), nearing the historic low of 1952. Forecasters expect these low temperatures to persist, with some areas experiencing temperatures 7 °C (13 °F) below the seasonal average.
The cold wave’s impact extends to Gansu Province, where recent earthquake rescue efforts are being challenged by temperatures of -13 °C (8.7 °F). This earthquake is the deadliest since the 2014 tremor in Yunnan Province.
