Episode Details

The weather in Beijing trended on social media sites over the weekend as unusually heavy snowfall blanketed the capital in a thick white sheet, even as the National Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert — the third-highest level after red and orange — for cold waves across central, eastern and southern China over the next few days. A yellow alert for freezing conditions and a blue alert for blizzards were issued for some parts of Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui and Hubei provinces.

周末期间，北京天气登上社交媒体热搜。异常强降雪使首都披上厚厚一层“白衣”。与此同时，国家气象中心发布寒潮黄色预警——这是仅次于红色和橙色的第三高等级预警——提示未来几天中部、东部和南部地区将出现寒潮天气。此外，陕西、河南、安徽和湖北部分地区还发布了低温冰冻黄色预警和暴雪蓝色预警。

According to meteorological authorities, the snowfall and accumulation on Saturday and Sunday in Beijing was heavier in the western mountainous areas of the capital.

据气象部门介绍，北京周六和周日的降雪及积雪主要集中在西部山区，降雪量明显偏大。

The weather event was the result of a "return-flow snowfall pattern" in North China, which saw moisture-laden cold air move inland toward Beijing from Bohai Bay.

此次天气过程源于华北地区出现的“回流降雪型”天气形势，携带充足水汽的冷空气自渤海湾向内陆推进并影响北京。

As the moist air moved over the city's western terrain, clouds formed at temperatures ranging between — 10 C and — 20 C, which is optimal for rapid snowflake formation. As they fell, the snow crystals collided and bonded, creating flakes that appeared to be oversized, meteorologists said.

气象专家表示，当湿润气流越过北京西部地形时，在零下10摄氏度至零下20摄氏度这一最有利于雪花快速生成的温度区间内形成云系。雪晶在下落过程中不断碰撞并相互黏结，从而形成看起来“体型较大”的雪花。

The snowfall in Beijing occurred as a strong cold wave swept much of China. The National Meteorological Center said that from Sunday to Wednesday, the cold wave will bring strong winds, sharp drops in temperatures and widespread rain and snow.

北京的降雪正值强寒潮影响全国大部分地区。国家气象中心表示，从周日至周三，寒潮将带来大风、显著降温以及大范围雨雪天气。

The center issued a yellow cold wave alert on Sunday, warning that temperatures in central and eastern China will drop 6 C to 12 C during the period, with some areas experiencing declines of 16 C or more. The current severe winter condition is expected to peak on Monday.

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