Cold front sweeps China

VOSOT

While heavy snowstorms hit northeast China, a strong cold front is sweeping central and eastern regions.

According to the National Meteorological Center on Tuesday, the cold front will lead to temperatures dropping by up to 10 degrees Celsius over the next three days.

Temperatures in some regions along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River will fall to freezing point on Friday.

The cold front will also bring strong winds to most regions north of the Huaihe River.

The center ended a blue blizzard alert for northeastern provinces as the snowfall is expected to ease on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Snow pelted Heilongjiang and Jilin on Sunday, leading to highway closures and flight cancellations.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) GAO LINGHUI, Yanji Bus Terminal, Jilin:

"We suspended passenger buses this morning as the road conditions were poor."

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) ZHAO PENG, Harbin Taiping Int'l Airport, Heilongjiang:

"We'll get staff and facilities prepared for future snowfall. We'll also keep clearing ice and snow to ensure the normal operation of flights."

Parts of the two provinces saw up to 35 mm of snow from Monday afternoon to Tuesday, accompanied by strong winds and blizzards.