Like periods of minor cold, periods of major cold are solar terms to express the degree of cold weather. Although modern meteorological observation shows that in some regions of China, the weather during a period of major cold is not colder than the period of minor cold, the lowest temperatures of the whole year still occur in the major cold period in some coastal areas.

In the major cold period, the atmosphere circumfluence is relatively stable. The adjustment period of the circumfluence is about 20 days. When the adjustment of the circumfluence appears, a wide range of rain and snow, strong winds and lower temperatures appear.

Because of the perennial major cold in most of China’s southern areas, the rainfall increased little compared with earlier seasons of five to ten millimeters of precipitation. In some plateaus and mountains in the northwestern areas, the precipitation rain fall can only reach one to five millimeters.

The weather in this period is the coldest of the year. Therefore, some departments such as railways, postal and telecommunications divisions, petroleum and marine transportation venues should pay special attention to prevent the disastrous weather such as strong winds, temperature reduction and heavy snow from negatively affecting these arenas. Some agricultural departments should strengthen their protection work against cold and freezing conditions to protect livestock and crops.

Source: Weather.com.cn

Translated by Lv Jing