The temperature in Beijing fell to five degrees centigrade on Sunday – the severest cold spell the capital has suffered this spring. The cold snap is expected to last until Tuesday. Parts of the capital even saw snowfall for a short period yesterday, and heavy snow fell on high ground in the northern district of Yanqing, Beijing Weather Forecast Station reported.

A light sleet fell around Beijing Zoo in Haidian district, but in Yanqing snow cover was 3 to 5 millimeters deep and foot prints could be clearly seen on the white landscape.

An expert from the weather bureau said cold air caused clouds to gather on the night of March 28. With a low of just 1.2 degrees, it was the coldest spring day for the past few years. Since 2006, the mean minimum temperature for the same day has been 5.3 degrees centigrade.

The expert said the weather will remain cloudy and overcast tomorrow and showery snow will fall in northeast Beijing. The temperature will vary from 1 degree below zero to 7 degrees centigrade. The weather is good for plants but people should wear warm clothes, the expert added.

Although snow in late March is a rare occurrence in Beijing, the expert said late snow is more common on high ground around the capital. The latest recorded snowfall in Beijing was in the middle of May.

The good news is that the temperature is set to rise on Wednesday, Beijing Weather Forecast Station said.

(China.org.cn by Dong Qingpei, March 30, 2009)