Affected by a strong cold front, Beijing will experience a northerly wind of force 3 to 4 during the day, with gusts reaching around force 7. Please take precautions when going outside.

The temperature in the capital will steadily decline over the next few days. Starting tonight, nighttime temperatures will fall to single digits. By the night of October 19, the temperature is expected to drop to a low of around 2°C, with that in some mountainous areas even falling below zero.

Temperature trends in Beijing from October 17 to 24

This powerful cold air mass has directly accelerated the onset of winter in northern China. According to a weather analyst from China Weather TV, this cold front is stronger and will last longer than usual. Beijing is expected to experience daily average temperatures below 10°C for seven consecutive days from October 18 to 24. Based on a five-day moving average temperature, more than five consecutive periods with temperatures below 10°C are expected — meaning Beijing is likely to enter winter around October 18. 

Based on the data from 1991 to 2020, the average starting date of the city's winter is October 31. If the forecast holds, this year's winter will arrive nearly two weeks earlier.

The meteorological authority advises the public to follow weather forecasts, wear warm clothes, and take precautions against catching colds.

(Source: Beijing Daily, Beijing Municipal Early Warning Center)