Cold spells have swept through parts of China recently, bringing unexpected snowfall to various regions.
In Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province, a section of National Highway 248, known as the "Locke Road," was hit by a sudden snow, with local authorities responding swiftly to ensure safety and smooth traffic on the road. The Locke Road, starting from Zhuoni County and ending at Zhagana scenic area in Diebu County, experienced continuous snowfall from Saturday night. Heavy snow accumulation and ice on the road disrupted traffic.
Most of the snow melted before Monday morning, but some road sections still had black ice. Traffic police issued warnings, reminding tourists and drivers of following weather forecasts and road information before heading to those sections.
In Shanxi Province, falling temperatures with a mix of rain and snow hit Taiyuan City. Experts say that it is the earliest first snowfall of a year recorded since 1951 in the region.
The wintry weather also affected expressways running through the city, prompting the deployment of police officers to ensure smooth traffic flow. Meanwhile, the first snow of the season blanketed Shanxi's Mount Wutai scenic area, one of four sacred Buddhist mountains in China, painting the landscape in a shimmering white coat.
To ensure the safety of visitors and motorists, local authorities also mobilized traffic police to guide vehicles and provide help at icy sections of the road.
Early snowfall hits China’s Gansu, Shanxi Provinces
Emergency measures are being put in place to help urban areas across China cope with sweltering daytime temperatures as a severe heatwave grips multiple regions of the country, with local community rest stations being set up to shield residents and provide much-needed respite to outdoor workers amid the scorching weather.
Large swathes of the country are baking as the summer heat takes hold. According to the Central Meteorological Observatory of China, eight of the top ten hottest areas nationwide on Wednesday were in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where Turpan and Toksun both recorded temperatures above 44.5 degrees Celsius.
The intense heat is unlikely to let up anytime soon, as Hami Meteorological Station has issued a red alert and is forecasting that temperatures in Hami City will exceed 40 degrees Celsius from Wednesday to Sunday.
In an effort to combat the heatwave, the local sanitation department has deployed multiple sprinkler and spray trucks to cover major roads in downtown Hami to help with dust suppression and road surface cooling, while upping the frequency of operations.
Persistent high temperatures have also affected many areas in the southwestern Sichuan Province, with some weather stations recording maximum highs exceeding 42 degrees Celsius and weather alerts being issued in numerous cities.
In Guang'an City, the mercury had already soared to 38 degrees Celsius by 10:00 Wednesday morning, pointing to a long, hot day ahead.
However, the county has opened nearly 350 'rest stations' to help local people escape the heat. These air-conditioned cooling points, equipped with fans, drinking water, emergency medicines, and seating, provide much-needed rest areas for outdoor workers such as delivery drivers and couriers, as well as to the elderly and other passersby.
"This round of high temperatures is characterized by its long duration, high temperatures, and the oppressive, muggy conditions, impacting outdoor workers and the elderly the most," said Yu Jilin, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group at the Wusheng County Federation of Trade Unions.
In the neighboring Chongqing Municipality, a red alert for high temperatures was issued on the same day.
At the exit of a busy highway in Wuxi County, heat waves shimmered on the road surface amid heavy traffic. Police officers on duty were busy checking vehicles under the scorching sun, focusing on any potential safety hazards in passenger and freight vehicles, while enduring the sizzling weather themselves.
"The main issue is the high temperature -- surface temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Whenever we are on duty, the exhaust from passing fuel-powered vehicles feels scorching hot against our bodies," said Lin Xianyong, an auxiliary police officer.
Air-conditioned "rest stations" set up to provide respite as scorching heatwave grips China
