Unusually early snowfall hits northern China

A widespread cold front lingering over northern China has brought the earliest and longest period of snow in decades. Some regions have also experienced other extreme weather - snow and thunder together.

Meteorological experts say a cold front ranging from Siberia to Mongolia is the reason for the week-long snowfall. Temperatures have fallen below zero. Some cities like Beijing have recorded their earliest snow of the year in decades. It's come almost two months earlier than last year. Weather authorities says this is due to the extreme airflow brought by the cold front meeting moisture from Bohai Bay. Beijing has also seen rare thunder which usually occurs in summer.

Shandong and Shanxi provinces have recorded their heaviest snow in over half a century. Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province has seen over seven centimeters of precipitation in 24 hours. Experts say the heavy snow will continue to Saturday, when another cold front will arrive. Northern and eastern China will see low temperatures for the next week.