In Pictures: China sees unexpected snowfall grounding flights, forcing school closures

Unseasonably cold weather hit northeast China, forcing hundreds of flights to be rescheduled and closing schools as several cities issued heightened weather alerts and warned people to stay indoors. The cold forced governments in Beijing and Tianjin to make preparations to supply heat earlier than usual, according to city government notices.

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

Google Preferred Source badge

People taking pictures as it snows in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on Nov 6, 2023. — People taking pictures amid heavy snow in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP

This photo taken on November 6, 2023 shows people visiting the Shenyang Imperial Palace as it snows in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT — People visiting the Shenyang Imperial Palace as it snows in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP

Snow-covered cars are seen during snowfall in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on November 6, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT — Snow-covered cars are seen during snowfall in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP

People shovel a street during snowfall in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on November 6, 2023. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT — People shoveling a street during snowfall in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP

epa10960535 Commuters brave the elements amid heavy snow in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, 06 November 2023. Heilongjiang issued a red alert on Sunday for blizzards, according to the local meteorological service. Multiple cities in the province are expected to experience heavy snowfall, with accumulative precipitation ranging between 20 mm to 40 mm, from Sunday evening to Monday evening, according to the forecast. EPA-EFE/XINHUA / Wang Jianwei CHINA OUT / UK AND IRELAND OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Commuters braving the elements amid heavy snow in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province,on Nov 6, 2023. Heilongjiang issued a red alert on Sunday for blizzards, according to the local meteorological service. Multiple cities in the province are expected to experience heavy snowfall, with accumulative precipitation ranging between 20 mm to 40 mm, from Sunday evening to Monday evening, according to the forecast.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE

This photo taken on November 6, 2023 shows a person riding bicycle as it snows in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT — A person riding bicycle amid heavy snowfall in Shenyang, in China's northeastern Liaoning province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP

epa10960538 Commuters brave the elements amid heavy snow in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, 06 November 2023. Heilongjiang issued a red alert on Sunday for blizzards, according to the local meteorological service. Multiple cities in the province are expected to experience heavy snowfall, with accumulative precipitation ranging between 20 mm to 40 mm, from Sunday evening to Monday evening, according to the forecast. EPA-EFE/XINHUA / Wang Jianwei CHINA OUT / UK AND IRELAND OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Commuters braving the elements amid heavy snow in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE

epa10960537 Commuters brave the elements amid heavy snow in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, 06 November 2023. Heilongjiang issued a red alert on Sunday for blizzards, according to the local meteorological service. Multiple cities in the province are expected to experience heavy snowfall, with accumulative precipitation ranging between 20 mm to 40 mm, from Sunday evening to Monday evening, according to the forecast. EPA-EFE/XINHUA / Wang Jianwei CHINA OUT / UK AND IRELAND OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Commuters braving the elements amid heavy snow in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE

epa10960543 Municipal workers clear snow from a pavement in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, 06 November 2023. A cold front has ushered in strong winds and heavy snowfall across northern and northeastern China since Sunday. In response, local authorities have implemented emergency measures, including the temporary suspension of classes and business operations, along with an early activation of heating systems. EPA-EFE/XINHUA / Zhang Nan CHINA OUT / UK AND IRELAND OUT / MANDATORY CREDIT EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY — Municipal workers clearing snow from a pavement in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Snow removal vehicles moving on a street amid a blizzard in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Nov 6, 2023. — Snow removal vehicles moving on a street amid a blizzard in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China on Nov 6, 2023.
PHOTO: REUTERS

See more on

Today in Pictures

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Personal Data Protection Notice

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.