Severe Storm Journal Entry
Snowstorm Blasts China (January 30, 2008)
This satellite photo uses a combination of visible and infrared light. Snow appears orange in the image. NASA MODIS.
Large parts of central and eastern China were blasted by a huge snowstorm this week, the worst the nation has seen in decades.
The storm blocked roads and rail lines and closed major airports, bringing parts of the nation to a near standstill. At least twenty-four deaths were blamed on the storm. Seventy-eight million people were affected by it.
It couldn't possibly have come at a worse time. Millions of people had travel plans to visit family and friends to celebrate Lunar New Year, China's biggest festival.
Climate experts say it may be a sign of things to come. Global climate change is linked to an increase in extreme weather worldwide, including drought, floods, and violent storms. The recent storm dumped snow on southern parts of the country that rarely get any. The harsh winter weather follows last year's record warm temperatures. China continues to suffer through a major drought, with the Yangtze and other major rivers drying up in places.
