Widespread cold spells hit China last week, with temperatures set to record lows on Friday, the country said.
Temperatures in Mohe, a city in northern China’s Heilongjiang province, dropped to minus 53 degrees Celsius on the same day. Local weather officials posted on their official social media accounts. The lowest temperature ever recorded in China was 52.3 degrees Celsius in 1969.
The cold spell is expected to continue this week, according to the China Meteorological Administration, with temperatures continuing to drop in parts of Jilin province, dropping as much as 16 degrees Celsius over the next few days. Eastern Yunnan, a popular tourist destination known for its warm winters, is forecast to drop below zero on the 25th. The average temperature in January last year was about 3-14 degrees Celsius.
Just months ago, a severe heatwave in China led to rolling blackouts and a temporary shortage of water in vital rivers for commerce. Last August’s average temperature was 22.4 degrees Celsius, the highest since China began keeping full climate records in 1961.
New York’s ‘no snow’ record set to end in 25 days
In New York City, which has been snowless for days, snow is expected during the morning commute on the 25th. The city hasn’t had any measurable snow cover this season, but up to two inches of snow is expected, according to National Weather Service forecaster Brian Ramsey.
Given the warmer temperatures, snowfall is expected to last for a short time and be melted by rain. “It’s too warm, so there won’t be any snow left,” Ramsey said.
The city hasn’t seen 0.1 inches of snowfall this season, although it did get a little snowfall in Manhattan’s Central Park on January 14. As such, Saturday’s snowfall is expected to be enough to end the city’s “no snow” record. In a normal year, more than 11 inches of snow cover is observed by this time of year.
New York City’s latest first snowfall was in 1973, when 0.1 inch of snow was not observed until January 29th. If the snowfall on the 25th doesn’t turn out as expected, there’s a good chance the record will be broken.
A man walks with an umbrella in New York City on January 19.
Photographer:Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Texas warns of snow and cold weather
Meanwhile, the Texas Energy Authority has called on oil and gas utilities in western Texas, including the Permian Basin, to take steps to prepare their equipment and workers for the snow and cold weather that is expected late Thursday through late Wednesday night.
Snow is expected in parts of West Texas late Wednesday night through Thursday, according to the NWS forecast. Dallas and Fort Worth are also expected to experience snow and cold rain.
The fossil fuel and petrochemical industries across the state are notoriously vulnerable to extreme cold temperatures that can freeze natural gas pipelines, malfunction valves and disrupt power supplies.
Original title:Chinese City Experiences Coldest Temperature in Nation’s Records (2)、NYC Snow Drought Forecast to End With Up to 2 Inches Wednesday、Texas Energy Operators Warned to Prepare for Freezing Weather（抜粋）
(Updates with Texas forecast information)