Most parts of China will experience a rapid drop in temperatures along with snow and rain in the coming days as a strong cold front is on the way, and will disrupt travel for the upcoming Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 8 this year.
The National Meteorological Center said temperatures will drop sharply in northwestern, northern and northeastern China, with temperatures in some areas down by up to 14 degrees Celsius.
The center warned of snow and rain in central and eastern provinces, which will see their coldest days so far this winter.
Meteorological departments in eastern Jiangxi Province forecast a cold snap from Wednesday, adding rain and snow will feature in the coldest week since 1992.
Primary schools and kindergartens in the provincial capital of Nanchang will suspend classes earlier for the winter holiday -- on Jan. 22, instead of Jan. 28 -- as heavy snow is forecast for Friday.
Sleet is expected in southwest China's Guizhou Province from Thursday to Saturday.
In Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province renowned for its warm weather, temperatures will likely drop to 1 degree Celsius on Jan. 25. In some mountainous areas in the north of the province, temperatures could be as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius, according to the provincial meteorological station.
Yet, the possibility of the province suffering from harsh conditions similar to those in the winter of 2008 is small as the cold period is shorter and the minimum temperature higher, said Lin Liangxun, chief forecaster of the station.
Ergune City in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region reported minus 47.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the lowest in the country, according to the local meteorological station.
In Beijing, the electric power network load hit a record winter high of 16.6 million kilowatt on Monday evening as the freezing weather drives demand for electric heating, according to the State Grid.
The company has put over 2,700 electricians and 465 repair vehicles on standby, as well as 15 emergency dynamo vans in case of power failures.
