The 2023/2024 Asian winter refers to all winter events that affect the continent of Asia. The first day of meteorological winter begins on December 1 2023 and unofficially ends on February 28 2024 winter storms may still occur outside of these limits.
| 2023–24 Asian winter | |
|---|---|
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| Meteorological winter | December 1 – February 28 |
| Astronomical winter | December 21 – March 20 |
| First event started | December 12, 2023 |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total fatalities | 25 |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Related articles | |
| 2023–24 North American winter | |
Seasonal forecasts
editCiting the ongoing El Niño, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a winter forecast on September 19, 2023, estimating an 80% likelihood for below normal snowfall for the country's western coastline, as well as a 90% chance for above normal temperatures from December to February.[1]
Events
editDecember
editOn December 12, a snowstorm in Beijing closed schools and highways, the second snowstorm in a week.[2] Beijing recorded their longest stretch of below freezing temperatures afterwards, before thawing on December 24.[3]
On December 22, a winter storm in the Sea of Japan dropped heavy snowfall in northern Japan, reaching 5 cm (2.0 in) in Nozawaonsen in Nagano Prefecture in northern Honshu. The snow caused power outages for about 2,000 people.[4]
On December 30, Seoul, South Korea experienced its heaviest snowfall for December in 40 years, recording 12.2 cm (4.8 in) of snowfall. This contributed to traffic accidents.[5]
January
editAfter a powerful earthquake in Japan on New Years Day, snowfall in the country disrupted rescue teams and relief distribution.[6] On January 16, two planes damaged each other after skidding on a snowy tarmac at New Chitose Airport in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.[7]
On January 18, Nepal's only ski resort, Kalinchowk, experienced its first snowfall, about six weeks later than normal. Toward the end of January, snowfall rates in the Himalayas were significantly below normal.[8]
On January 22, a cold wave moved across eastern Asia, which delayed or canceled at least 132 flights in South Korea, and caused damage in at least 57 buildings due to water damage.[9]
A winter storm in Japan results in 800 cars being trapped on the Meishin Expressway.[10]
February
editOn February 19, an avalanche in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province killed 25 people.[11]
On February 21, snowfall in across northeastern China, including Beijing, closed highways and schools.[12]
See also
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References
edit- ^ "JMA: Hot spell to continue, mild winter forecast across Japan". The Asahi Shimbun. September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ^ "Snow closes schools and highways in northern China for the second time this week". Associated Press News. December 12, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ Beijing records longest cold wave in modern history, CNN, December 25, 2023
- ^ "Heavy snowfall hits wide areas of Japan". NHK World-Japan. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ "South Korean capital records heaviest one-day snowfall in December for 40 years". The Irish News. December 31, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Snow Hinders Rescues, Aid Deliveries After Japan Quake". Voice of Asia. Associated Press. January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Cassandra Vinograd (January 16, 2024). "One Plane Clips Another at Japan Airport, Weeks After Deadly Runway Blaze". New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Subel Rai Bhandari; Tenzin Pema (January 23, 2024). "Snowless winter in Himalayas – another sign of climate change". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Choi Jeong-yoon (January 24, 2024). "S. Korea's cold wave halts airplanes, freezes water meters". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ "Nearly 800 Vehicles Trapped On Snowy Highway In Japan". Weather Underground. January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Flora Drury (February 19, 2024). "Afghanistan: Landslide kills 25 after heavy snow". BBC News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ "Chinese capital closes highways after heavy snowfall". Gulf News. Associated Press. February 21, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.