China: No basis for online 'coldest winter' rumor

Chinese meteorological authorities have denied online speculation of extreme cold weather in the run up to Spring Festival, China's Lunar New Year.


A rumor that went viral on the Internet said China will have its coldest winter since 1992.

The Central Meteorological Observatory explained that temperatures in most regions of northern China in late January will be one to two degrees higher than the average. Regions in southern and southwestern China will see similar temperatures to last year.

It also said cold fronts will hit the country several times but the possibility of extreme cold weather is "very low."

The agency also forecast that central and eastern China would see more smoggy days than usual from late January to mid-February. The chance of natural disasters such as prolonged freezing cold in southern China is also quite low.
 [china.org.cn/Xinhua]
13/1/17