The Central Meteorological Observatory issued the first frozen orange warning.

　　At 10: 00 on February 1, the Central Meteorological Observatory issued a frozen orange warning for the first time, which is the highest level of freezing warning issued since the establishment of the freezing warning standard in 2010. The early warning shows that from February 1 to 4, there were persistent freezing rains in parts of southern Henan, Hubei, central and northern Anhui, northern Jiangsu, central and northern Hunan, eastern Guizhou and southeastern Chongqing. Among them, from 14: 00 on February 1 to 14: 00 on February 2, the accumulated frozen rainfall in parts of southern Henan, central and northern Anhui, southwestern and central and eastern Hubei, central and northern Hunan, northeastern Guizhou, and southeastern Chongqing can reach 3 to 8 mm, and the local area is more than 10 mm.

　　National freezing rain regional forecast map (February 1, 14: 00-February 2, 14: 00)

　　The freezing warning levels are yellow, orange and red from low to high, and different levels of freezing warning mainly differ in the duration of freezing weather. The red warning indicates that freezing weather has continued to occur in parts of more than three provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) in the past 72 hours, and it is expected that freezing weather will still occur in these areas in the next 48 hours. The orange warning shows that freezing weather has continued to occur in parts of more than three provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) in the past 48 hours, and it is expected that freezing weather will still occur in these areas in the next 24 hours. The yellow warning is that freezing weather is expected to occur in parts of more than three provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) in the next 24 hours.

　　What should we focus on when issuing a freezing warning? Zhang Feng, deputy chief forecaster of the Central Meteorological Observatory, suggested that freezing rain has a great impact on transportation, power facilities and public travel, especially on communication and transmission lines.

　　In mid-December, 2023, the frozen yellow warning issued by the Central Meteorological Observatory aroused social concern. Zhang Feng said that compared with December 2023, the freezing rain in the southern region has a wider range, stronger intensity and longer time, and the impact time will last from February 1 to 4. At this time, it coincides with the early stage of Spring Festival travel rush’s small climax, and the number of people returning home and traveling abroad has soared, so it is necessary to take corresponding preventive measures.

　　Zhang Feng suggested that in order to prevent the impact of freezing rain, transportation and public security departments need to prepare for road icing, rationally divert vehicles, and close frozen roads when necessary; Airport and highway management units need to take measures to break ice and melt ice to ensure smooth traffic; Electric power and relevant departments need to strengthen the prevention of wire icing, and conduct comprehensive inspection and overhaul of key equipment and facilities such as transmission lines to ensure their normal operation, and also need to strengthen the inspection of emergency materials and equipment to ensure timely response in emergency situations.

　　For the general public, people should try to avoid going out after freezing rain or freezing warning is issued. If you have to go out, please take necessary measures to prevent cold, keep warm and prevent skid, give priority to public transportation, ride bicycles or electric cars as little as possible, and keep a safe distance from vehicles when walking out. Drivers need to pay close attention to road conditions, slow down and avoid speeding up overtaking, sharp turning or emergency braking, and should install tire chains in time. Pedestrians and vehicles should avoid staying, walking and driving under iced wires and towers to prevent ice edges from falling. In addition, when freezing rain occurs, airports and highways may be suspended and closed, so you should check the road conditions and flight information before traveling.

　　Zhang Feng suggested that local meteorological departments will also issue road icing warning signals and wire icing warning signals to remind the public to guard against the impact of freezing weather. In order to ensure the safety of travel, the public should always pay attention to these early warning information.

　　According to the data, the Central Meteorological Observatory first issued a yellow warning of freezing in February 2013, when Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi and other places suffered severe freezing rain. The second freezing warning was issued in December 2023, and a yellow freezing warning was issued to remind some areas in Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Hubei, Anhui and other places to pay attention to preventing large-scale freezing rain.

　　(Author: Xu Nenyu Editor: Jiang Zhiqing)