From China's outward-facing propaganda organ, The Global Times, 11:55 pm November 7:
A severe cold wave hit many parts of China over the weekend with heavy snowfalls and plunging temperatures. In the capital of Beijing, this winter's first major snowfall came on Saturday, 23 days earlier than the usual date. The cold snap, said to be the most widespread early one in decade, is affecting 1.18 billion people and 90 percent of the regions across the country, including the southernmost tropical island of Hainan, where temperatures dropped at least 8 degrees.
The cold wave also brought blizzard conditions to many parts of the north, along with rain, sleet and snow, posing serious challenges in a wide range of areas, including transport, infrastructure, agriculture as well as energy supplies at a time when many parts of the country have already been grappling with tight energy supplies and even power shortages in recent months.
However, despite the severity of cold snap, the country has responded to the harsh weather conditions effectively, with swift early warning systems and adequate preparedness, which has ensured that life in affected areas is largely undisrupted and business activities continued. Moreover, the country has mobilized a whole-of-society response, including various government departments, companies and residential communities, to minimize impact on energy supply, epidemic prevention and control, infrastructure and agriculture.
Temperatures in the north and northeast nosedived, pushing temperatures down by as much as 16 C. Meteorologists forecast frequent cold waves this winter, although there will not be a repeat of the 2008 winter storm that ravaged southern parts of China.
Beijing's first snow came 23 days earlier than the winter average, and the temperature in the capital may hit a 10-year record low. It has already caused the suspension of some buses and cancelation of some flights and trains....
....MUCH MORE, it's a pretty big deal, in all the papers ["dad, what's a paper?"]
