Shandong experiences strongest March snowstorm since 1971, China
East China’s Shandong province experienced its heaviest March snowstorm since 1971 from March 1 to 3, 2025, with snow accumulation reaching up to 20 cm (7.9 inches), causing widespread disruptions to daily life and transportation. Events like this are rare for early March in Shandong’s temperate monsoon climate, where cold, dry winters usually limit snowfall to lighter amounts between December and February, especially in milder coastal areas influenced by the Yellow Sea.
Image credit: Yang Yubin
Eastern China’s Shandong province experienced its most intense snowstorm in over five decades from Sunday, March 2 to Monday, March 3, with unusually heavy snowfall accumulating 11–20 cm (4.3–7.9 inches) on the ground.
Authorities in the provincial capital, Jinan, issued two rare Red alerts for hazardous road icing and blizzards on March 2. The storm led to widespread disruptions, prompting the closure of 101 highway toll stations and delays on key railway lines, including sections of the Beijing-Shanghai and Jinan-Qingdao high-speed railways.
Jinan authorities suspended all primary and secondary school classes on March 3, shifting to online instruction. Similar measures were implemented in three districts of Zibo, where schools and kindergartens were temporarily closed.
Shandong Hi-Speed Group reported that 101 toll stations under its jurisdiction were closed due to blizzards. Rail services were also affected, with sections of the Beijing-Shanghai and Jinan-Qingdao high-speed railway lines experiencing delays, according to CCTV News.
Several scenic spots in Shandong were temporarily closed due to the snowfall. Mount Tai scenic area suspended access to all hiking routes from 16:00 LT on Saturday, with reopening times yet to be announced, the park stated on its official WeChat account.
The event was driven by a strong cold air mass from Siberia colliding with moisture-laden air from the Yellow Sea, leading to prolonged and intense snowfall.
While snowfall is not uncommon in Shandong during winter, a storm of this magnitude is highly unusual, particularly in early March.
Shandong has a temperate monsoon climate, with typically cold, dry winters and limited snowfall, mostly between December and February. Heavy snow events, especially those exceeding 10 cm (3.9 inches), are rare, particularly in coastal areas where temperatures tend to be milder due to the influence of the Yellow Sea.
References:
1 Important Weather Tips – CMA – February 27, 2025
2 Ice and fire: E. China’s Shandong batters blizzard as Shanghai marks hottest early March in 150 years – People’s Daily – March 3, 2025
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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