China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC) has renewed a blue alert for blizzards, forecasting heavy snowfall in Hunan and Jiangxi provinces from Wednesday to Thursday morning.
According to the NMC, central and southern parts of Hunan and southern and western parts of Jiangxi are expected to experience significant snowfall, with blizzards depositing up to 10 centimeters of snow in some areas. The intense weather conditions are anticipated to impact transportation, agriculture, and daily life in these regions.
In addition to the blizzard warning, the NMC has renewed a blue alert for low temperatures across central, southern, southwestern, and eastern China. From Wednesday to Thursday, the lowest daily temperatures in parts of Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang are forecasted to drop more than 5 degrees Celsius below the historical average for this period.
The NMC has advised residents to limit outdoor activities and urged local authorities to implement measures against road icing and agricultural freezing. “We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant departments to ensure public safety and minimize potential losses,” said an official from the NMC.
In response to the severe weather forecast, the Ministry of Emergency Management, along with other government departments, activated a Level IV national emergency response on Tuesday for disasters induced by low temperatures, rain, snow, and freezing conditions in Hubei and Hunan provinces. As part of the relief efforts, approximately 20,000 disaster relief items, including cotton-padded quilts, have been dispatched to Hunan to assist those affected.
China operates a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system to indicate the severity of weather conditions, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. The blue alert signifies that significant weather events are expected, and the public should be aware and take necessary precautions.
Authorities are encouraging communities to stay informed through official channels and prepare for the upcoming cold spell. “We urge everyone in the affected regions to stay vigilant, keep warm, and ensure the safety of vulnerable populations,” added the NMC official.
