The headlines are dominated by the Early Mid-Autumn Snowfall event, a rare weather phenomenon that saw several northern regions of China receive a sudden, unusual blanketing of snow in mid-October—a full month ahead of schedule. This spectacular seasonal overlap has instantly created stunning landscapes where vibrant autumn colors clash beautifully with winter white, captivating all who witness it.
A truly rare meteorological event unfolded across northern regions of China this mid-October: an Early Mid-Autumn Snowfall arrived suddenly and unusually, nearly a full month ahead of the typical seasonal schedule. This striking natural phenomenon instantly transformed the landscape, creating breathtaking scenes where the vibrant golds and reds of autumn foliage met an unexpected blanket of winter white, captivating both local residents and travelers.
Records confirm this early arrival of snow across multiple areas of Northern China, significantly preceding average annual dates. In the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, for instance, October 19 brought a snowy day, a sight that forced residents to carry umbrellas against the unexpected flurries despite the prevailing autumn atmosphere. Meteorological data indicates this instance is among the earliest major snowfalls recorded in the Northeast region in many years.
Further south, the capital city of Beijing also saw unseasonable weather. Mountainous zones, including Yanqing, experienced sleet and light snowfall on October 22—approximately 10 days earlier than the capital’s long-term average. The gentle dusting of snow on the slopes of Yudu Mountain and the ancient tile roofs in Jiangshuihe Village, Mentougou District, presented a strikingly early winter vista. Local weather officials confirmed that high-altitude temperatures plummeted rapidly to just a few degrees Celsius, cold enough to generate the sleet despite the meteorological season still being autumn.
The premature arrival of snow was widespread, extending to the northwestern region of Ningxia, which also reported concurrent snowfall. Between the night of October 16 and the morning of the 17th, the cities of Guyuan and Zhongwei were briefly covered in white. The monitoring station on Liupan Mountain recorded a snow depth of approximately 5 centimeters.
Local residents noted that such an early snowfall is extremely uncommon, leading many to venture out to photograph the unique scenery. The picturesque blending of vibrant autumn foliage peeking out from under a fresh layer of white provided a spectacular, fleeting photo opportunity.
Even in China’s extreme north, the city of Mohe in Heilongjiang Province—known as the nation’s “Arctic village”—recorded its first heavy snowfall of the season earlier in October. This marked its own earliest significant snow event of the year, driving local temperatures close to the freezing point.
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) attributed these unusual mid-October snow events to the influence of a powerful cold air mass pushing aggressively southward. This air mass combined with high levels of atmospheric moisture, particularly concentrated in mountainous areas. This convergence resulted in a drastic temperature drop across many locations, with some areas registering lows 4 to 5 degrees Celsius below their seasonal average.
The same strong cold front also impacted eastern regions. In Shanghai, heavy rain and strong winds on the morning of October 20 abruptly ended a prolonged period of sultry weather. Simultaneously, in Zhejiang Province, fierce wind gusts forced the temporary suspension of over 70 passenger ferry services, and the Mount Putuo scenic area had to evacuate nearly 50,000 tourists.
While acknowledging the Early Mid-Autumn Snowfall in specific areas, the CMA maintained that the overall average temperature for the coming winter across the nation is still projected to be at or slightly above the average of previous years. However, the agency issued a cautionary notice urging the public to prepare for dramatic temperature fluctuations, as the weather is expected to alternate abruptly between intense cold snaps and sudden warm-ups over short timeframes.
Ultimately, for both residents and visitors, this early snowfall serves as a powerful reminder of China’s vast and sometimes volatile climate, emphasizing the need for flexible planning and preparation for sudden shifts from mild autumn conditions to a sharp, wintry chill.
( According to Globaltimes, CGTN)
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