China Grapples with Severe Cold Wave, Prompts Widespread Warnings and Emergency Responses

National Meteorological Center Issues High-Level Alerts

China is currently experiencing a significant cold wave, prompting the National Meteorological Center (NMC) to issue a series of severe weather warnings. These include a yellow alert for cold waves, a blue alert for heavy snow, and a yellow alert for icing. The cold front, described as the 'largest, strongest and most extensive rain, snow and freezing event since the start of winter,' began affecting the country over the weekend and is expected to peak on Monday, January 19, 2026, continuing through Wednesday, January 21.

Widespread Temperature Drops and Precipitation Expected

Large parts of central and eastern China are bracing for sharp temperature declines, with forecasts indicating drops of 6 to 12 degrees Celsius, and some areas potentially experiencing plunges of 16 degrees Celsius or more. Southern regions, including the Yangtze River Delta, are particularly vulnerable to these dramatic temperature shifts. The cold wave is bringing widespread precipitation, including heavy snowfall in provinces such as Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui, and Hubei. Freezing rain and ice accumulation are anticipated in areas like Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou provinces, and Chongqing Municipality, posing elevated risks. Beijing also experienced significant snowfall over the weekend.

Emergency Measures and Public Impact

In response to the severe weather, authorities have activated various emergency measures. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief initiated a Level IV emergency response for freezing rain and snow in Anhui, Henan, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces. Local governments have taken steps to mitigate the impact, including:

• School suspensions in several cities across Anhui, Henan (including Zhoukou and Zhumadian), and Jiangsu (Xuzhou).
• Issuance of risk alerts for road icing, snow accumulation, and low visibility, particularly in regions like Beijing, Shaanxi, and Shandong, to enhance traffic safety.
• Implementation of preventive measures for electricity and communication facilities by power and energy authorities in provinces such as Shaanxi, Shandong, and Xinjiang.
• Activation of emergency plans by China Railway Wuhan Bureau to safeguard rail operations.
• Temporary closures of mountain scenic spots, such as Mount Huashan in Shaanxi Province, due to heavy snow forecasts.

Meteorological experts have advised the public, especially the elderly, children, and those in poor health, to monitor warnings closely and reduce outdoor activities to avoid respiratory and cardiovascular risks. The cold wave is considered particularly dangerous due to the complex precipitation types, with freezing rain posing a greater risk than heavy snow in some areas. Extreme cold has already been recorded, with Fuyun County's Turgun Township in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plunging to minus 47.4 degrees Celsius.