Some 1,000 vessels icebound as north China cold snap hits 28-year low

NEARLY 1,000 vessels have been stranded in the Laizhou Bay area between Qingdao and Tianjin on the coast of Shandong province as temperatures plunged to their lowest in 28 years, reported China Daily.

Since late November the country has endured an average of -3.8 Celsius (25 F) degrees - colder than the previous average, said the China Meteorological Administration.

At Laizhou Bay, 291 square kilometres was icebound, disrupting inland transport as temperatures fell to -15.3 Celsius (-26 F), 3.7 degrees below the previous recorded average.

More than 140 flights from the state capital airport in central Hunan province were delayed, while heavy snowfall closed sections of the Beijing-Hong Kong Expressway, said China Daily.

A trucker caught in a five-kilometre long traffic jam told China Daily: "I didn't expect such a situation, so I've brought no warm coats or food. All I can do is wait.".