Snow and sleet storms that wreaked havoc in southern China earlier this year are unlikely to occur again this winter, said Zhai Panmao, spokesman for the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) on Tuesday.

"We forecast a relatively warm winter this year. The possibility of a snow and ice disaster like the one at this year's beginning is small," Zhai said.

Winter storms, which hit the country's central, south and southwest in January and February, were the worst in half a century for China. They led to 129 deaths as well as power outages, traffic jams and damaged homes.

Zhai said the average temperature in the first ten days of January 2009 will be 1 centigrade higher than usual for most northern areas, while that for southern China will stay around previous levels.

Weather experts will closely monitor the weather condition and make timely warnings once changes occur, said Zhai.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, flurries or sleet will fall on some parts of south and southwestern China, according to the CMA forecast.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2008)