Beijing, China, has recently encountered its chilliest December since records began in 1951, with temperatures frequently dropping below -10°C throughout the month. This follows a year of weather extremes in the capital, which experienced its hottest June day just six months ago, registering over 40°C.
China has been hit by multiple waves of exceptionally cold weather this winter, as reported by a Beijing weather observatory.
In less than two weeks, the observatory recorded over 300 hours of sub-zero temperatures, according to the state-backed China Daily news agency.
The cold spell has affected various provinces across China, leading to school closures and transportation challenges. Henan province, in particular, is grappling with strained energy supplies, with reports of heating boilers breaking down due to persistent cold weather.
In addition to China, northern Japan has witnessed an unusual amount of snowfall for this time of year.
Heavy snow alerts have been issued in certain areas, with Gifu and Hokkaido prefectures experiencing around a metre (39 inches) of snowfall.
South Korea has also experienced a drastic temperature swing in recent weeks, ranging from 16°C to below -12°C, according to the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA).
One potential explanation for the cold snap is a weakening in the Polar Vortex, an expanse of cold air typically situated around the Arctic.
This weakening allows the cold air to extend farther south than usual. However, there is ongoing scientific debate about the role of climate change in influencing these weather patterns.
