Image: Screencap from video by BNN Breaking News, Beijing, China.
The Chinese government closed highways to and around its capitol, Beijing, on February 21, reports Reuters.
“Authorities in Beijing shut some highways on Wednesday after heavier-than-expected snowfall hit the Chinese capital, part of a cold spell sweeping many parts of the country this week,” wrote Reuters. “With freezing rain and snow expected to last until Monday, officials boosted public transport arrangements in the sprawling city of nearly 22 million and shut eight highways, state broadcaster CCTV said.”
China has already been experiencing a harsh winter with extremely cold temperatures and heavy snow. The recent round of snow proved to be heavier than state meteorologists had forecast.
“Tuesday evening’s snowfall lasted longer and was heavier than forecast after a confluence of humid air currents from the south and a cold mass of air moving slowly eastward, an observatory official told the Beijing Daily newspaper,” Reuters said. “The bad weather forced the closure of almost 200 stretches of road nationwide, CCTV said.”
“The National Meteorological Center is predicting subzero temperatures in the coming week for numerous areas,” Reuters said, concluding its story.