A cold spell has hit northern parts of China, with 30 centimeters of snow in some areas of Xinjiang Uygur Automonous Region.

The temperature in Altay city fell to minus 35 degrees Celsius, and many roads have been closed by heavy snow.

The cold spell has brought heavy snow, strong winds and a sharp drop in temperature.

Xinjiang Uygur Automonous Region was the first area affected by the cold weather. Some cities were struck by heavy snow. In Tacheng city, the snow reached 30 centimeters.

The wind brought by the cold wave is also strong reaching gale force on mountain passes in Xinjiang. However, the wind force in Gansu province and Inner Mongolia autonomous region were less stronger.

Chen Chunyan, the chief reporter at Xinjiang Meteorological Station, says the cold front has also brought a big temperature drop.

Chen Chunyan, chief reporter at Xinjiang Meteorological Station, said, "This cold wave has an obvious character, that is sharp temperature drops. The temperature in Altay will decrease to minus 25 to 35 degrees Celsius."

Numerous roads have been closed by the bad weather. 10 buses and cars, and over 100 people were trapped on Xinjiang provincial highway Line 201, and had to be rescued from the area.

The cold wave is now moving eastward, and Yangtze River areas will be badly affected in the coming days.