China Prepares for Sudden Shift from Warmth to Bitter Cold

Temperatures in northern China are expected to drop by as much as 20 degrees Celsius following the second warmest October in decades; however, climatic conditions may soon return to warmer than usual due to the El Niño phenomenon. The China Meteorological Administration stated, "A stream of cold air will reach China on Saturday from the northwest, joining another current that arrived yesterday, causing a sharp decline in temperatures." The weather agency added, "Starting next week, most regions in the northeast are expected to see maximum temperatures drop to single digits or below zero as the cold air moves east and south, marking a sudden change after a significant rise in temperatures." Although a drop in temperatures to zero degrees is not unusual for this time of year in the region, the sudden shift from warmth to such cold is what stands out as unprecedented.