Cold wave brings new autumn lows to central and eastern China as southern rain eases

Cold air is continuing to affect central and eastern China, with temperatures in many places expected to hit new lows since the start of autumn, and southern rainfall forecast to weaken and then largely stop, CLS, Yicai and Jiemian reported. The three outlets carried the same weather-service bulletin on the morning of Oct. 4. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Jiemian, citing China Weather Network and Central Meteorological Observatory forecasts, reported that a new cold air mass had moved through the country the previous day, bringing temperature drops of more than 10°C in parts of Gansu and Inner Mongolia, with local falls exceeding 15°C. On Oct. 4–5 the cold air continues to move east and south, and North China, Huang-Huai and Jianghan are expected to see 4–6 level northerly winds with gusts of 7–9, and locally above level 10 in high-altitude mountains, along with temperature drops of 4–6°C and local falls of 8–10°C, Jiemian reported. [ 3 ]

After the cooling, Jiemian reported, maximum temperatures in the northeast will be below 15°C, while the eastern northwest and North China will be around 20°C. Among cities, Changchun, Shenyang, Beijing and Tianjin may record their lowest daytime highs since the start of autumn on Oct. 4. In the south, maximum temperatures from eastern Sichuan and Chongqing across to Jiangnan will be only around 20°C, and areas above 30°C in south China will shrink noticeably, according to the report. [ 3 ]

As the rain subsides, overnight radiative cooling in much of the south will be pronounced, Jiemian reported. From Oct. 5 to Oct. 7, minimum temperatures are forecast to hit new lows over a wide area, with Fuzhou, Guangzhou and Nanning falling below 20°C for the first time since the start of autumn, and Nanjing and Hefei reaching only around 10°C. The outlets advised the public to adjust clothing and guard against colds. [ 1 , 3 ]

On rainfall, Jiemian reported that the previous day saw widespread rain in the south, with heavy rain or rainstorms in parts of Shanghai, southern Jiangsu, northern and western Zhejiang, central-northern Jiangxi, central Hunan, southern Guizhou, southern Sichuan, northeastern Yunnan, northern Guangxi, southern Guangdong, eastern Hainan and eastern Taiwan, and local heavy rainstorms in Ganzhou, Jiangxi and Hechi, Guangxi. Today, southern rain will decrease and weaken, and it will gradually stop over the following two days, with most areas seeing rain end the day after tomorrow, the reports said, while northern precipitation today and tomorrow will fall mainly in the northeast. [ 1 , 3 ]

For Oct. 4, the Central Meteorological Observatory forecast moderate to heavy rain in parts of southeastern Tibet, southern western Sichuan Plateau and southern Sichuan, southern Yunnan, southeastern Guizhou, southern Hunan, northern and southern Guangxi, most of Guangdong, Hainan Island, most of Fujian, southern Zhejiang, eastern Liaoning, and eastern and southern Jilin, with rainstorms in parts of eastern Jilin, southern Yunnan, northern Guangxi, southern Guangdong and Hainan Island. For Oct. 5, moderate to heavy rain is forecast in parts of southeastern Heilongjiang, eastern Jilin, northern Xinjiang, southeastern Tibet, southern Sichuan, western Yunnan, Hainan Island and northern and eastern Taiwan Island, with rainstorms in parts of eastern Jilin, southwestern Yunnan, central and eastern Hainan Island and northern and eastern Taiwan Island. For Oct. 6, moderate to heavy rain is forecast in parts of southern Sichuan, western Yunnan and southeastern Hainan Island, with rainstorms in parts of southwestern Yunnan, Jiemian reported. [ 3 ]