A snowstorm stranded thousands in Beijing over the weekend. Snow will spreadacross Korea and Japan Monday. Meanwhile, an outbreak of bitterly cold air willbe unleashed across eastern Asia.Several inches of snow brought Beijing, a city of more than 17 million, to astandstill. Nearly 1,000 flights out of Beijing were canceled Sunday. Numerousroads across the city were closed stranding travelers.
The temperature in Beijing is expected to fall below zero Monday or Tuesday forthe first time since the 1980s.
The storm will track across the Sea of Japan Monday. A cold front will sweepacross Japan, with rain changing to snow as the front passes. Heavy snow willdevelop across western Japan late Monday and continue for several days.
Significant snowfall is also expected across North and South Korea. Seoul willpick up more than 6 inches.
Western Japan receives heavy "ocean-effect snow," which is very similar tolake-effect snow. Bitterly cold air crosses the Sea of Japan and picks upmoisture, slamming western Japan with heavy snow. Parts of Japan average 800inches of snow due to this effect.
Temperatures will be colder than normal across East Asia through the end of theweek.
Story by Accuweather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.
