A severe cold wave swept across China in December 2023, causing a significant drop in temperatures and leading to various issues. Authorities in several provinces imposed traffic restrictions on highways due to icy conditions, resulting in collisions. Forecasters anticipated temperatures below minus 40 degrees Celsius in northeastern Heilongjiang, Xinjiang in the northwest, Inner Mongolia, and provinces like Gansu and Qinghai. The cold wave, moving from north to south, was expected to persist into the weekend, bringing a reduction in rain and snow. The city of Yichun in Heilongjiang faced the possibility of breaking a temperature record from January 1980, with temperatures potentially dropping to minus 47.9 degrees Celsius next week. Henan province experienced snowfall, icy roads, and heavy fog, leading to multiple accidents and traffic controls. Ningxia and Gansu provinces reported unsafe highways, resulting in temporary traffic measures and closures. Shanghai, for the first time, issued a cold wave warning, leading to the suspension of ferries and buses due to forecasted low temperatures.

In southwestern Tibetan cities, highways were blocked by snow and ice, prompting mobilization efforts for snow removal. Beijing, Jiangxi, and Shanxi took measures to protect vegetable and fruit harvests from freeze damage. Despite the lifting of China’s blizzard warning, Liaoning, Jilin, and Shandong provinces were expected to experience heavy snowfall. Shenyang in Liaoning deployed workers and machines for snow removal, anticipating snowfall and strong winds until Saturday. The national forecast predicted a decrease in freezing rain on Friday, with some areas in Guizhou and Hunan experiencing it in higher terrain.