On October 19, a strong cold front swept across the Yangtze River Delta region of China, bringing a mix of rain, temperature drops, and gusty winds. Many cities experienced a sudden shift from temperatures over 30°C to a much cooler autumn chill, with drops of more than 10°C.

According to forecasts from the Central Meteorological Observatory, this cold air mass is expected to continue affecting the central and eastern parts of the country. From the 19th to the 22nd, regions such as Jianghuai and Jiangnan will likely see temperatures decrease by 6°C to 10°C. In northern Jiangsu and similar areas, the minimum temperatures may dip below 10°C during this cold snap.

The impact of this seasonal temperature drop was particularly dramatic in Shanghai. On the 18th, the highest temperature at the Xujiahui weather station reached 31.3°C, breaking a record for the highest temperature in mid-October since 1873. However, under the influence of the strong cold front, daytime temperatures in Shanghai plummeted on the 19th, with a projected low of around 17°C.

On the afternoon of the 18th, temperatures in Jiangsu continued to rise, with much of southern Jiangsu exceeding 27°C and many areas reporting over 30°C, leaving residents feeling quite muggy. By 4 PM that day, most areas in Zhejiang had peak temperatures ranging from 30°C to 33°C, with the highest recorded in Yunhe County at 34.4°C.

As the cold front arrived, temperatures in the Yangtze River Delta took a nosedive, and the winds and rain further dropped the perceived temperature. On the morning of the 19th in Nanjing, steady rain fell amid gusts of up to 7 on the Beaufort scale, prompting residents to adopt layered clothing to cope with the sudden chill. In Zhejiang, minimum temperatures on the 19th morning dropped significantly from the previous day, ranging between 18°C to 22°C, with northern areas seeing declines of 4°C to 5°C.

Meteorology experts have cautioned that this cold air mass is particularly strong and the temperature drop quite abrupt. After a slight rebound in temperatures over the coming days, another cold front is expected to reach the Yangtze River Delta. With notable fluctuations in temperatures recently, the public is advised to keep a close eye on the weather and dress warmly to avoid colds and other health issues.