The strongest cold air mass of the second half of this year

Continues to push northern regions into winter

Some areas in Zhengzhou and Luoyang, Henan Province

Already experienced snowfall

Snowfall at Songshan Mountain in Dengfeng

Expert Analysis

A weak La Niña event may form

This autumn and winter

According to recent ocean and atmospheric monitoring data, the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center predicts that this winter, sea temperatures in China’s Bohai Sea and southern East China Sea are expected to be slightly higher by 0.5°C to 1°C, while the Yellow Sea and central and northern East China Sea are expected to be 1°C to 2°C higher than normal. Most areas of the South China Sea will maintain sea temperatures close to the annual average.

Experts also stated that based on monitoring, the equatorial central and eastern Pacific will remain in a neutral-to-cool state this autumn and winter, potentially forming a weak La Niña event.

In the ocean, several important sea temperature monitoring areas have been designated, with the Niño 3.4 region index used to monitor El Niño and La Niña phenomena. When this index remains below -0.5°C for five consecutive months, a La Niña event is considered to have formed, while the opposite indicates an El Niño event.

Will La Niña bring an extremely cold winter?

A La Niña event refers to the phenomenon where sea surface temperatures in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific become abnormally cold over a large area, with intensity and duration meeting specific conditions.

During the “triple” La Niña period from 2021 to 2023, over 60 meteorological stations in North China recorded their lowest temperatures since establishment during the winter of 2021. Many areas in Inner Mongolia experienced the strongest snowstorms in recorded meteorological history, affecting more than 1.18 billion people and 90% of regions, including Hainan.

Many people assume that the appearance of La Niña means China’s winter will become colder, even bringing super cold waves. However, “La Niña” and “cold winter” cannot be equated.

Whether China’s winter tends to be cold or warm is closely related to the intensity of the East Asian winter monsoon. Besides La Niña, factors such as Arctic sea ice, Eurasian snow cover, and natural variability within atmospheric circulation systems also play important roles.

However, statistical data shows that after La Niña events occur, the probability of China experiencing a colder winter is indeed higher. But since this autumn and winter may form only a weak La Niña event, the extent to which it will affect winter temperatures remains to be seen.

Currently, concerns about whether the La Niña event will bring an extremely cold winter are premature. However, it is certain that temperatures in most northern regions will remain low in the coming days, while southern temperatures will also drop rapidly.

The public should pay attention to weather changes, add clothing in time to keep warm, and guard against respiratory system and cardiovascular diseases caused by sudden temperature changes. When using heating equipment, remember to open windows regularly for ventilation to avoid oxygen deficiency or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou is a major city in central China’s Henan province and one of the Eight Great Ancient Capitals of China, serving as the capital during the Shang Dynasty over 3,600 years ago. Today, it is a modern transportation and industrial hub, known for its role in China’s railway network and as a gateway to the nearby Shaolin Temple.

Luoyang

Luoyang is a historic city in central China’s Henan province, renowned as the capital of multiple ancient Chinese dynasties. It served as a political and cultural center for over a millennium and is famous for the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of Buddhist statues carved into limestone cliffs.

Henan Province

Henan Province, located in central China, is considered one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. It was the historical heartland for over 20 dynasties, including the Xia and Shang, the earliest recorded Chinese dynasties. The province is home to numerous significant cultural sites, such as the Longmen Grottoes and the Shaolin Temple, reflecting its profound historical and cultural heritage.

Songshan Mountain

Songhan Mountain, located in Henan province, is one of China’s Five Great Mountains and a central place in Chinese history and religion. It is renowned for the Shaolin Temple, founded in the 5th century, which is the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the famous Shaolin Kung Fu. The mountain and its surrounding area are a UNESCO Global Geopark, celebrated for its unique geological formations and profound cultural heritage.

Dengfeng

Dengfeng, located in China’s Henan province, is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned as the cradle of Chinese martial arts and the center of Zen Buddhism. Its history is deeply intertwined with the nearby Shaolin Temple, founded in the 5th century, which became the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu. The area also contains a remarkable collection of ancient astronomical observatories, temples, and pagodas, including the Songyue Pagoda, which is one of China’s oldest surviving brick pagodas.

Bohai Sea

The Bohai Sea is a semi-enclosed inland sea of China, bordered by the Liaodong and Shandong Peninsulas. Historically, it was a cradle of early Chinese civilization and served as a critical hub for the maritime Silk Road during ancient dynasties. Today, it remains a vital region for shipping, fisheries, and offshore oil production.

East China Sea

The East China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, bordered by China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Historically, it has been a vital maritime route for trade and cultural exchange, particularly along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Today, it remains a region of significant economic and strategic importance, though it is also the subject of ongoing territorial disputes over islands and maritime boundaries.

Yellow Sea

The Yellow Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Historically, it has been a vital region for trade and naval warfare for centuries, serving as the gateway to Beijing. Its name is derived from the distinctive yellow color of the water, caused by immense sediment deposits from rivers like China’s Yellow River.