At 6 a.m. on February 6, the National Meteorological Centre issued a blue cold wave warning and a yellow strong wind warning.
Cold Wave Warning
A fresh wave of powerful cold air will sweep across from north to south, influencing the central and eastern parts of China starting from February 6. In most areas north of the Yellow River, temperatures are predicted to drop by 6 – 8°C. Some regions in the eastern part of Northwest China and North China will witness a temperature drop of more than 10°C. In southern China, the temperature will decrease by 4 – 6°C, with certain areas experiencing a 7 – 8°C drop and local areas seeing a drop of over 10°C.
By the morning of February 8, the 0°C isotherm will extend southward to southern Guizhou and southern Jiangnan.
Strong Wind Warning
Between 8 a.m. on February 6 and 8 a.m. on February 7, parts of North China, central Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, northern Shaanxi, and the Huanghuai region will have northerly winds of magnitude 5 – 6, with gusts reaching 7 – 8 magnitude. In central and northern Shanxi as well as some areas in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, the maximum gusts may reach 9 – 10 magnitude.
In offshore areas, the wind speeds in the central and southern Yellow Sea and the northeastern East China Sea could reach 9 magnitude, with gusts up to 10 magnitude.
Airport Weather Impact Forecast
From noon on February 5 to noon on February 6, light to moderate turbulence is expected in the mid – and low – altitude airspace over Ningxia, central Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, northern Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, central Hunan, Anhui, central Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Yunnan, and Guizhou.
Icing conditions are expected in the low – altitude airspace over northern Xinjiang, eastern and central Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, northern Hebei, northeastern Chongqing, southern Hubei, northern Hunan, northern Jiangxi, and northern Zhejiang.
Gusts of 6 – 7 magnitude are predicted at Kunming Airport in the afternoon and evening of February 5. Frost is likely to occur at airports in Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Shanghai (both airports), and Hangzhou from early morning to morning on February 6. Gusts of 6 – 7 magnitude are also expected at Beijing Capital, Daxing, Taiyuan, and Kunming airports around noon on February 6.
Precautions and Recommendations
Beginning on February 6, strong winds will affect areas north of the middle and lower Yangtze River. Beijing – Tianjin – Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, and Henan are at a medium to high risk of wind – related hazards. Authorities and the public should take preventive measures against the potential impacts on transportation during the Spring Festival travel rush, and ensure the safety of high – altitude structures, temporary buildings, and outdoor billboards.
Moreover, from February 5 to 7, a round of precipitation will affect southern China. Rain and snow may cause slippery roads in Guizhou, southwestern Hubei, northern Hunan, and northern Zhejiang.
