The biggest blizzard ever recorded along China’s coast

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.

On December 20, five weather stations in China reported record-breaking low temperatures, with Yunzhou reaching -33.2 °C (-27.76 °F), Qingshuihe -29.7 °C (-21.46 °F), Yangqu -27 °C (-16.6 °F), Baoding -23.3 °C (-9.94 °F), and Shunping -22 °C (-7.6 °F).

Historic blizzard! It has snowed on 7 of the past 10 days in the northern part of the Shandong Peninsula. The snow depth in Yantai and Wendeng broke the historical record with 52cm and 55cm! It is also the biggest blizzard ever recorded along the coast of China! pic.twitter.com/AgTVpFi7sK

— Jim yang (@yangyubin1998) December 21, 2023

In Yantai, Shandong Province, it has snowed five days in a week, and the depth of the snow is approaching the historical record. pic.twitter.com/6F1q8eLypH

— Jim yang (@yangyubin1998) December 20, 2023

Featured image credit: Jim Yang (stillshot)