Can Snow Be Expected in the PRD this Weekend?

By Matthew Bossons, January 21, 2016

Frigid weather is just over the horizon for residents of the Pearl River Delta, with temperatures in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Foshan expected to drop to an icy minus 3 degrees Celsius, according to South China Morning Post.

Residents in Guangzhou don’t fare much better, with temperatures expected to hit a low of 1 degree on Sunday, according to the same report.

The cold wave is predicted to hit Guangdong today and last until Tuesday; it has already brought record low temperatures to central and eastern China.

Admittedly, the South China Morning Post’s numbers were difficult to verify independently – with most weather services (including The Weather Channel and The Weather Network) predicting a low of 2–4 degrees above zero. Regardless, the cold weather is unusual for subtropical PRD cities that normally enjoy winter temperatures above 10 degrees.

But now to the question on everyone’s mind: will we get snow (even a light dusting) in the PRD – provided the South China Morning Post’s numbers are correct? The short answer: it’s highly unlikely.

Guangzhou has no recorded snow in the past 100 years, according to China Highlights, and if you find this hard to believe, ask any elderly local and they will tell you that you’re crazy if you think the the city has seen snow in their lifetime.

That being said, Hong Kong has experienced four snowfalls since 1948: two in 1967, one in 1971 and one in 1975, according to The Standard HK. Although some have predicted snow for Hong Kong, the city is bracing for the far more realistic possibility of frost and ice on high ground.

Other parts of Guangdong (inland and at higher elevations most likely) are expected to receive some snow, according to Xinhua.

On the bight side, PRD residents can be grateful they aren’t in the city of Erguna, in north China’s Inner Mongolia, which reported minus 47.5 degrees on Tuesday, the lowest recorded in the Middle Kingdom, according to the South China Morning Post.

[Cover image via Xinhua]