Beijing braces for winter's first snow

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Beijing began emergency preparations on Tuesday for the first snow of the winter, which is forecast to pelt the city late in the evening.

City administrative officers inspected many roadside shops on Tuesday, reminding them to prepare to clear accumulated snow.

More than 30 patrol vehicles, some 30 pieces of high-powered lighting equipment and more than 50 kg of thawing agents have been prepared to deal with the snowfall, which comes about ten days earlier than usual.

According to the latest forecast, a strong cold front will hit Beijing on Tuesday, bringing snowfalls and gales. Light snow or sleet may continue to affect the downtown area during the day on Wednesday.

The overnight low will be three degrees Celsius, with a high of five degrees Celsius on Wednesday, a sharp drop from recent days.