People clear snow on the road in Rongcheng, in Weihai, East China’s Shandong Province, on December 21, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

The snow depth in many parts of East China's Shandong Province has broken records, with the number at Wendeng Railway Station in Weihai reaching 74 centimeters, according to media reports on Friday. China’s meteorological authorities continued issuing a yellow alert for low temperature on the same day.

According to the National Meteorological Center (NMC) on Friday morning, there was light to moderate snowfall on the Shandong peninsula on Thursday, with heavy snowfall appearing in Weihai.

On Friday morning, the snow depth at the Wendeng Railway Station in Weihai reached 74 centimeters, breaking the previous record set only on Thursday, which was 55 centimeters. It is expected that the snow on the Shandong peninsula will gradually weaken on Friday, with light to moderate snowfall in some areas, the NMC noted.

Additionally, the city of Yantai saw record-breaking snow, with the highest snow depth occurring in Zhifu district at 53 centimeters, according to the local meteorological authority.

The NMC continued to issue a yellow alert for low temperature at 6 am on Friday, stating that the daily minimum temperature or average temperatures are expected to drop by 5 degrees Celsius compared to the historical average for the same period in many parts of China from Friday to Monday morning.

The NMC reminded that citizens should add clothing to keep warm and make preparation for low temperature in production and daily life, while minimizing outdoor activities. Departments such as transportation, public security, agriculture, and energy should make preparations for road icing, heating, and disasters such as agricultural freezing, the NMC said.

According to Weather China, a turning point for temperatures will occur around Saturday. By then, temperatures in the central and eastern regions will slowly rise, and temperatures in various regions will gradually return to normal or above-normal levels starting from Sunday and Monday.

However, it is expected that from Tuesday to Wednesday, a new cold air mass will once again affect the central and eastern regions of China, bringing strong winds and cooler temperatures.

According to the NMC, the average temperature in most parts of the central and eastern regions of China will be 1 to 3 degrees Celsius lower than the historical average for the same period in late December.

Global Times