A severe cold wave is forecast to sweep across most parts of China from February 17 to 22, bringing significant temperature drops and widespread rain and snow to the central and eastern regions.
The National Meteorological Center predicts that the impending weather conditions could pose high risks to road traffic during the peak of the Spring Festival return travel. Rainy and snowy weather may lead to snow and ice accumulation on roads, potentially causing traffic congestion as millions journey back to major cities.
“We are expecting a ‘roller coaster’ of temperatures in many areas,” said the chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center. “The adverse weather could significantly impact travel conditions.”
The Spring Festival holiday has already seen a surge in traffic on expressways nationwide. From February 10 to 15, daily traffic volume reached 57.53 million vehicles, a 19.15 percent increase from the same period last year. On February 16 alone, expressways saw 29.65 million vehicles between midnight and noon—approximately double the normal level.
Return traffic is particularly concentrated toward major urban centers such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Wuhan, placing substantial pressure on expressway infrastructure.
Chen Jie, deputy director of the Highway Monitoring and Response Center, emphasized the need for proactive measures. “Based on the current traffic flow patterns, we are strengthening our research and analysis,” Chen said. “We have emergency traffic diversion personnel prepared in advance and are enhancing monitoring and early warning systems to help alleviate congestion during the travel rush.”
The regions of Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Guizhou are expected to experience freezing rain, adding to the challenges faced by travelers. Authorities are urging the public to stay informed about weather and traffic updates and to plan their journeys accordingly.
Reference(s):
Cold wave forecast as return trips from Spring Festival travel begin
cgtn.com
