Heavy, early snowfall causes trouble

Heavy snowfall has delayed traffic and disturbed daily life in the northern part of the mainland.

The snow caused blackouts and school closures. In Shijiazhuang , 48cm of snow fell, the most in 54 years. Major highways were closed and hundreds of thousands of cars were stuck at toll stations. Clothes and food had to be rushed to the stranded drivers. Airports in Hebei and Shanxi were closed.

Background

Last year's lack of snow brought one of the worst droughts in recent years to northern areas on the mainland. Weather experts have been producing man-made snowfalls this year. They brought snow to Beijing on November 1. This was the earliest snowfall to hit the capital in 22 years.

The public is angry because they did not get warnings about the man-made snowfalls.

Expert Xiao Gang said man-made snowfalls might have unknown side-effects, so they should not be used too much.