Recently, the city of Qinhuangdao in Hebei Province experienced an extensive snowstorm, with snow accumulation reaching depths of up to 30 centimeters in some areas. Residents have reported that in nearly two decades of living in Qinhuangdao, they have never encountered such a significant snowfall.
The heavy snowfall has had a profound impact on local road conditions, leaving roads laden with thick snow, which has caused vehicles to skid easily. Some cars have found it impossible to exit their residential communities, while entrances and exits to underground parking facilities remain blocked. Public transport services have also been noticeably affected, disrupting the daily commute for many.
According to local resident Mr. Yuan, the snowfall began around 11 a.m. on November 7 and continued tirelessly until 7:30 a.m. on November 8, at which point the snow depth was measured at 23 centimeters. He remarked that this is the most substantial snowfall he has observed in nearly 20 years in Qinhuangdao, a town not typically known for such extreme weather conditions.
On the morning of November 8, another resident, Mr. Ma, shared his experience as he ventured outside, noting that the snow at the entrance of his community was above knee-high. He observed sections of the road with snow piled high enough to cover vehicle wheels, while small trees were seen bent under the weight of the snow.
The Qinhuangdao Meteorological Observatory issued a red alert for heavy snowfall at 12:22 a.m. on November 8, indicating that blizzard conditions were already present in most parts of the city. The forecast predicted that over the next 12 hours, various counties and districts would likely continue experiencing heavy to severe snowfall. Specific areas, including Qinglong County, Lulong County, Funing District, Changli County, the northern parts of Haigang District, and Shanhaiguan District, could see snow accumulation of over 15 millimeters within six hours.
The meteorological observatory released further data at 8 a.m., revealing that from 1 p.m. on November 7 to 8 a.m. on November 8, the central and northern regions of Qinhuangdao experienced heavy to extraordinarily heavy snowfall, with the southern areas transitioning from rain mixed with snow to heavy snow. The average snowfall across the city was recorded at 30.7 millimeters.
Detailed snowfall and accumulation figures from various locations are as follows:
– Qinglong County: Snowfall of 23.7 millimeters, snow depth of 20 centimeters
– Lulong County: Snowfall of 37.4 millimeters, snow depth of 20 centimeters
– Changli County: Snowfall of 27.6 millimeters, snow depth of 12 centimeters
– Funing District: Snowfall of 30.3 millimeters, snow depth of 18 centimeters
– Beidaihe District: Snowfall of 26.3 millimeters, snow depth of 17 centimeters
– Haigang District: Snowfall of 28.9 millimeters, snow depth of 28 centimeters
– Shanhaiguan District: Snowfall of 40.8 millimeters, snow depth of 30 centimeters
In addition to the snowfall, 39 meteorological observation stations throughout the city reported strong winds, with the maximum gust measured at 28 meters per second in Wutongyu, Lulong County, reaching a force of level 10 on the Beaufort scale.
The meteorological officials anticipate that from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 8, the southern and central regions of Qinhuangdao will continue to see additional snowfall ranging from 3 to 5 millimeters, while the northern areas may see 1 to 2 millimeters. This additional snowfall could contribute to an increase in snow depth of about 1 to 4 centimeters across the city.
The blizzard has also significantly impacted both land and air transportation in Qinhuangdao.
By 10:29 a.m. on November 8, China Railway Beijing Group issued travel advisories due to the persistent snowfall affecting regions including Qinhuangdao and Tangshan, leading to reduced speeds for passenger trains operating along the Jinqin High-Speed Railway.
Regarding air travel, information from Beidaihe Airport indicated that a flight scheduled to depart for Shanghai Pudong on the morning of November 8 has been canceled.
On the highway front, many expressway entrances and exits across the province have been controlled or temporarily closed due to the broad range of rain and snow. Some roads within Qinhuangdao have become icy with snow accumulation, creating further obstacles for vehicular traffic. Local public transportation routes also faced adjustments or outright suspensions due to these conditions.
The snowfall in Qinhuangdao is part of a larger weather system affecting northern and northeastern regions of China, where extensive rain and snow have been forecasted.
Meteorological departments predict that from November 7 to 10, a strong cold front will cause widespread rain and snow, along with a noticeable drop in temperatures across much of eastern and central China. Areas in southeastern Inner Mongolia, western Liaoning, northern Shanxi, northern and central Hebei, and parts of Beijing and Tianjin are particularly expected to witness heavy to blizzard-like conditions during this time.