A strong cold wave is sweeping over most of China. Northern cities such as Beijing, Tianjin and others in Hebei Province are embracing the new year's first snowfall.

Beijing saw snow at the beginning of November, but hasn't seen any of the white stuff since. The Beijing Meteorological Bureau says the snow will be followed by strong wind and a possible blizzard.

Residents could experience a significant temperature drop between Tuesday and Thursday, when the mercury could dip to minus 15. The Central Meteorological Station is issuing an orange alert, warning most areas in north, central and east China can expect temperatures to drop 8 to 12 degrees Celsius in a single day.

Under an orange alert, the departments of railway, communication, electricity and transportation must increase the maintenance of roads, railways and power lines. The station is also reminding people to dress warmly during the cold and to reduce outdoor activities.

寒潮暴雪结冰预警连发雪后气温创33年新低

从2日开始，北京气象台轮番发布寒潮、暴雪、道路结冰三种预警。2日晚7时再次发布寒潮蓝色预警信号，称3日后半夜雪停后北京将有五六天大风，气温下降 7℃到8℃。2日晚9时50分，北京气象台发布今年首个道路结冰黄色预警信号。对此气象专家表示，近日来北京地区气温较低，白天最高气温在-6℃到-9℃ 之间，非常寒冷，哪怕1毫米的降雪都很难融化，更别说是强度如此大的降雪。

3日凌晨3时20分，北京气象台发布今年首个暴雪蓝色预警信号，上午8时50分，追发暴雪黄色预警信号，称未来12小时内降雪仍将持续，北京大部分地区降雪量可达大雪级别，局部地区可达暴雪量级。暴雪预警信号分四级，分别以蓝色、黄色、橙色和红色表示。

"在如此密集的时间里，集中发布三种气象预警信号，在我的印象中好像是第一次。"北京专业气象台气象专家刘工程师说。

据介绍，这场雪持续时间长，雪量大，各个气象站的降水量一直在增长。3日早晨6时，居庸关站的降水量就已显示为7毫米，达到大雪级别；到8时左右，几乎所有郊区站都显示降水量越过5毫米，达到大雪级别。据介绍，到3日后半夜降雪停止后，全市多个气象站点显示的降水量超过10毫米，因此这场大雪可定义为"今年首场、今冬第四场全市性的大到暴雪。"

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