Weather tracker: Beijing experiences its coldest December since 1951

Weather observatory records period of more than 300 hours in which temperatures remained below freezing

The Chinese capital, Beijing, experienced its coldest December since records began in 1951, after a cold wave hit much of the country. Temperatures fell below -10C, alongside heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions at times. Northern and north-eastern parts of China experienced the coldest temperatures, as cold air moved southwards from the Arctic, with some areas reaching lows of -40C.

The Beijing weather observatory recorded a period of more than 300 hours in which temperatures remained below freezing, which is the longest for December since records began 72 years ago. The cold snap forced the closure of many schools and businesses in Beijing, owing to travel disruption and the stress from added heating demands. Temperatures have risen into the new year, but Beijing remains cold, with maximum temperatures reaching just above freezing so far this January.