寒潮横扫中国
China's central meteorological station has forecast that this week, for many areas of the country, will see the coldest period of the winter so far.
中国中央气象台预报，本周全国许多地区将经历今年入冬以来最冷的严寒。
Temperatures are expected to drop further from today as a blast of icy air sweeps in from the north and west.
The National Meteorological Center says temperatures will drop sharply across northern China as much as 14 degrees Celsius.
Zhang Tao is the Chief weather broadcaster of the National Meteorological Center.
"First, a large part of China will be affected including most central and eastern parts and even parts of southern China. Second, some parts of China will experience a series of changes in precipitation, including rain to sleet and sleet to snow. Third, it will bring along strong precipitation."
The power network load hit a record winter high of 16.6 million kwh Monday evening in Beijing as this winter's freezing weather drives demand for electric heating.