Vast parts of northern China hit by ice rain and snow after record-breaking April heatwave

A strong cold front has swept across northern China over the past couple of days, causing ice rain and snow. The event follows a record-breaking Asian heatwave, causing numerous fatalities and shattering all-time temperature records across several countries.

The cold air has brought a flurry of snow, which has covered and coated several scenic areas of Hebei in silvery white, with temperatures dropping as low as 1 °C (33.8 °F), CGTN reports.

Shanxi Province was also frozen by rainy and snowy weather, with recorded snowfall reaching 23 cm (9 inches), a record high since 1951.

According to a local meteorological center, the cold front’s impact on soil moisture is expected to aid in the growth and development of crops, providing a favorable environment for spring agricultural activities. As the snow melts, it replenishes the soil with much-needed water, which in turn supports the germination and growth of seeds sown during the spring season.

The event follows unusually warm and record-breaking April temperatures across several Asian countries. In most of Asia, the heat in March and April has been unprecedented.

While it is worth noting that April and May are typically the hottest months in South and Southeast Asia, before the monsoon rains arrive and provide relief, weather historian Maximiliano Herrera described this heatwave as the worst in Asian history given its footprint, severity, and timing, encompassing at least a dozen countries.

Featured image credit: CGTN (stillshot)