An extreme cold front continued its influence over China on Friday, bringing temperatures to sub-freezing levels across much of the country. This prompted authorities to restrict traffic on highways in various provinces due to collisions caused by icy patches.

Forecasts from China’s National Meteorological Centre predict temperatures to plummet to below minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Heilongjiang in the northeast, Xinjiang in the northwest, as well as Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Qinghai.

The cold wave, initiated at the beginning of the week, is progressing from north to south, with temperatures expected to decrease further into the weekend. Despite this, the Meteorological Centre anticipates a reduction in rain and snow.

In Heilongjiang’s city of Yichun, there is a possibility of breaking a January 1980 record with temperatures dropping to minus 47.9 degrees Celsius early next week due to severe weather conditions.

Henan province experienced multiple accidents on expressways due to snowfall, icy roads, and heavy fog, prompting traffic controls. In Ningxia province, authorities deemed some highways unsafe, implementing temporary traffic measures as snowfall occurred. Similarly, Gansu witnessed highway closures and train suspensions, as reported by state media.

Shanghai issued its first cold wave warning of the year, leading to the temporary suspension of ferries and some buses early on Friday. The financial hub expects temperatures to drop as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius this weekend due to cold air from the north.

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