October 23, 2024 – On October 23, China entered the "Shuangjiang" solar term, and temperatures dropped dramatically in many regions, as if winter arrived overnight. According to folklore, this year's Shuangjiang has three significant characteristics, indicating a harsh winter ahead, with potential droughts and possible impacts on crop harvests.

According to reports from China's meteorological department, from the night of the 21st to the early hours of the 22nd, the city of Hulunbuir in Inner Mongolia experienced continuous rain and snow, with temperatures dropping by 6°C to 8°C, and the lowest temperature reaching -26.7°C. On the 22nd, parts of Liaoning also saw sleet or light snow, and several cities in western Liaoning dropped below 0°C on the night of the 22nd. Central and western regions of Jilin saw a temperature drop of 4°C to 8°C.

Due to the cold snap, some roads in Heihe, Heilongjiang, became icy, and local authorities increased monitoring of highways, national and provincial roads, and key road sections.

This morning, as China entered the Shuangjiang solar term, temperatures in many regions across the country fell by more than 10 degrees. In many parts of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, temperatures dropped below 15°C, with some places barely reaching 10°C. Even cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou were not spared. Many citizens expressed their surprise online: "Yesterday, we were still in short sleeves, and today we need to wear down jackets!"

According to folklore, if Shuangjiang begins before noon, it is called "early Shuangjiang," and after noon, it is called "late Shuangjiang." This year's Shuangjiang started at 6:14 AM, so it is considered "early Shuangjiang." There is a saying: "Early Shuangjiang freezes the cows to death, late Shuangjiang brings warmth," suggesting that this year's winter will be severe.

Additionally, this year’s Shuangjiang falls at the end of the lunar ninth month. There is a proverb: "If Shuangjiang falls at the end of the month, drought will follow next year," predicting drought in the coming year. Moreover, since this year's Shuangjiang occurs in the ninth lunar month, it is referred to as "September Shuangjiang" in folklore, which means that when Shuangjiang falls in the ninth lunar month, crop yields might be affected.

Editor: Li Mu'en