Massive snow storm hits China

[Ed Mahmoud]

Snow slams China; half million stranded at train station

[Typhoon Hunter]

This is causing havoc all over the country and here in Shanghai we received the heaviest snowfalls in over 25 years over the weekend. Hundreds of thousands are stranded accross the country as millions are on the move to make the beginning of Chinese New Year.

Here are some pics I took from around Shanghai last night and today:

[Aquawind]

All of those bikes on snow and ice is crazy. Look at how they load them up as well. Amazing. I imagine losta broken bones but at least there are relatively less cars on the road in China to actually kill people.

[Typhoon Hunter]

Alas Aqua you're ten times more likely to get killed by a car in China than the US even though there are ten times less cars, and that's on a dry sunny day!

I usually cycle to work but I've left the bike at home the last couple of days!

[Ed Mahmoud]

Shanghai is about 31ºN and near the coast.

That'd be like snow near the Georgia/Florida state line.

Houston is only a hair farther South than that, and somewhat inland.


There is still hope for us all for a winter storm in the Southern US!

[Typhoon Hunter]

Hey Ed!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

The last snowfall in Shanghai was in 2004, when I wasn't living in the city, but was lucky enough to be visiting at the time. This event has way surpassed that. I'm not sure when the last winter blast of this extent hit but I'm guess this is a once in a 50-70 year event for the city.

[richtrav]

Any idea what their minimum temperature has been? I know they have a climate very similar to the US Gulf Coast

[shibumi]

Actually Shanghai does not have a climate like the Gulf Coast....the average high and low for January is 45 and 33....more like that of Tupelo MS....(approx 51 for a high and 31 for a low....)

the latitude does not tell that much....

[jinftl]

January averages for Shanghai are actually closer to Washington D.C....

Janaury Averages:
Washington D.C. 42/27
Shanghai 45/32

Climate is much more mid-atlantic than anything near Gulf Coast

http://gochina.about.com/od/tripplanning/ig/China-Cities-Temps/Shanghai.htm

Shanghai is about 31ºN and near the coast.

That'd be like snow near the Georgia/Florida state line.

Houston is only a hair farther South than that, and somewhat inland.


There is still hope for us all for a winter storm in the Southern US!

[Ed Mahmoud]

January averages for Shanghai are actually closer to Washington D.C....

Janaury Averages:
Washington D.C. 42/27
Shanghai 45/32

Climate is much more mid-atlantic than anything near Gulf Coast

http://gochina.about.com/od/tripplanning/ig/China-Cities-Temps/Shanghai.htm

Shanghai is about 31ºN and near the coast.

That'd be like snow near the Georgia/Florida state line.

Houston is only a hair farther South than that, and somewhat inland.


There is still hope for us all for a winter storm in the Southern US!

Bummer.

[2 Seam Fastball]

The pictures make it look like slush. How massive was this? I am happy for you.That is if you are happy. I hope that all is well in China.

[HarlequinBoy]

The pictures make it look like slush. How massive was this? I am happy for you.That is if you are happy. I hope that all is well in China.

It probably appeared more slushy in that pic since it was really urban.

[Typhoon Hunter]

The pictures make it look like slush. How massive was this? I am happy for you.That is if you are happy. I hope that all is well in China.

It's huge and looks like it could be one of the worst disasters for China (certainly economically and in human disruption) in decades. Here are are few figures I pulled out of the press.

The city of Chenzhou is in Hunan province and home to over 4 million people. It's been without power for 8 days and supplies of petrol/oil are running low.

60 people have died accross the country so far.

223,000 houses have been destroyed and economic losses currently stand around $7.5 billion USD.

6 million people have been stranded at train stations accross the country and hundreds of thousands won't be able to return home to see their family for Chinese New Year. For many this is the only chance in the year to see them.

This storm has also probably brought Shanghai is heaviest snow on record. Whilst only a small amount to what many on here are used to Shanghai hardly ever has snow (there's now salt, central heating, snow ploughs etc), let alone half a foot of the stuff lying on the ground!

[2 Seam Fastball]

6 inches I guess you are not used to it. Plus the slush on the power lines makes the lines fall down and power go out. I am sorry for you. I hope that you don't have to go through this again.

[Squarethecircle]

223,000 houses have been destroyed and economic losses currently stand around $7.5 billion USD.

Jesus... If you're right, then I can only imagine the scope of this disaster. The 1993 Superstorm did 6-10 billion!

How exactly unprepared WERE you?

[hial2]

Assuming that "teleconnection" exists, where will the problems be in the States??

[jinftl]

check out azsnowman's thread....sounds like another storm of epic proportions in arizona

Assuming that "teleconnection" exists, where will the problems be in the States??