BEIJING – A cold snap is forecast to sweep across many parts of China from this weekend, with temperatures falling by up to 20 deg C as millions return from Chinese New Year trips, the national observatory said on Feb 15.

Heavy snow will hit Shaanxi and Shanxi province in the north, central Henan province and eastern Shandong province from Feb 17 to 22.

Temperatures in parts of the south are expected to fall to zero deg C next week, the observatory said.

The cold spell is expected to affect road, rail and air transport just as people are coming back from travel for the Chinese New Year celebration that lasts till the end of this week.

Separately, the weather bureau in the north-western Xinjiang region warned on Feb 15 of potential avalanches in the mountainous Altay area, with 30cm to 50cm of snowfall expected in the northern parts of Xinjiang.

Snow and sandstorms are forecast to hit parts of the region over the next few days, the weather bureau added. REUTERS