Parts of northeast China and the eastern Shandong Province have been hit by heavy snowstorms. The severe weather has been triggered by a strong cold front from western Siberia, which is expected to sweep much of the country through Friday.

The China Meteorological Administration says this is the strongest cold front to hit the country so far this winter.

The China Meteorological Administration says this is the strongest cold front to hit the country so far this winter.

Snow began to fall in northeastern Liaoning Province on Wednesday afternoon. Most of the province is forecast to have heavy snow by Thursday morning, and many expressways have been closed in anticipation. Temperatures will drop 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in most of northern China, with some regions experiencing a fall of more than 14 degrees.

And Southern China will experience a temperature drop of 6 to 10 degrees Celsius.

The state weather observatory launched a cold weather emergency response plan on Wednesday, and national and provincial meteorological departments are on alert.

(CCTV December 5, 2008)