Han Ximin

ximhan@126.com

SHENZHEN Meteorological Observatory upgraded the alert level to orange yesterday as the cold snap is forecast to plunge the temperature to around 6 degrees Celsius today.

The minimum temperature will reach 6 degrees Celsius today, and light rain and wind are expected, according to the forecast. In northern and mountainous areas, the lowest temperature will dip to as low as 5 degrees Celsius.

The observatory said cold weather, below 10 degrees Celsius, will last around five days until Friday, reminding residents to keep warm and be cautious about carbon monoxide poisoning while using a water heater to shower.

“This round of cold air is active, coupled with foggy and rainy weather and strong winds. It has reached the level of strong cold air,” the observatory said.

The city’s civil affairs bureau has ordered shelters and three aid centers to be opened for homeless people. Residents can call 12319, 82419094, 82433326, 27590594 or 28930450 to offer clues to help homeless people.

The observatory reminded people driving to northern Guangdong to be cautious of the icy roads.

“The cold snap has brought rain and fog to northern Guangdong. Traffic controls have been imposed on some road sections in Shaoguan and Qingyuan cities in northern Guangdong,” Wei Xiaolin, chief weather broadcaster of the observatory, said.

To ensure safety, police have closed the northern Guangdong section of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway. Vehicles are being diverted to Leguang Expressway.

Lianzhou City, a county-level city under the administration of Qingyuan, recently saw its first snow of the year, as temperatures dropped to 1-3 degrees Celsius below zero. The ice on G537 in Lianzhou reached 4 centimeters.