Cold weather freezes China

Thursday is last day of the New Year holiday with people across the country making their way back to work.

The south will continue to be cloudy, rainy and snowy. Some areas could see freezing rain and falls in temperature of eight degrees Celsius. Forecasters have warned drivers to take care on the roads.

New year's day was bright and sunny in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. But now, a strong cold snap has hit the province, with temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees Celsius. Local officials are preparing for possible ice on the roads.

Sun Weining, Director, Jiangsu Expressway Command Center, said, "In theory, we won't close the expressway, but we will control the speed and ban some types of vehicles. And we have prepared equipment including snow removers."

In Shandong Province, the port city of Yantai has seen the new year's first heavy snow. It started at dusk and sent temperatures to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The city's snow-clearing team is out in force.

Zhang Jiang, Director, Yantai Laishan Highway Admin., said, "We have so far removed snow four times. It's still snowing. We will start for a fifth time after a short break."

During the break, snow remover Kong Fanhui quickly checks his snowplow. Although it has a heater, it offers little warmth. Local meteorologists say, the snow will continue over the next two days, and temperatures may drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius.