The rare prolonged snowstorms and low temperatures that have
caused havoc in many parts of China are mainly related to La
Nina and abnormal atmospheric circulation, Chinese
meteorologists said. The unbalanced precipitation in China this
winter greatly resembles the aftermath of La Nina event in
history, which indicates that the latest development of La Nina
is a main cause of China's abnormal snowy weather,
meteorologists with Jiangxi Provincial Meteorological Bureau
said. The experts predicted that the La Nina event, which formed
in August last year, will continue to the end of the spring
season. They also pointed out that the abnormal atmospheric
circulation in some regions of Europe and Asia, which has lasted
for nearly 20 days since mid-January, is responsible for the
rampant chilly weather, rain and snowstorms. (Xinhua News Agency
February 2, 2008)