The first snowfall in Beijing in the new year has brought down the temperature, which dropped to nine degrees Celsius below zero early Thursday morning.

The snow that fell in the night of Jan. 3 was short, but following cold air with strong gale continued to dominate the national capital.

Local meteorologists said warm and humid air was weak, and cold air was strong enough to bring the temperature down.

Falling snowflakes added to the joy of people in the new year celebrations. Public transportation and medical authorities started emergency response systems as soon as the snow began to fall.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)