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China has continued to be beset by cold weather, even though spring has already arrived.

Rain and snow are due in most parts of the country over the next two days, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) forecast on Sunday.

A new cold front is expected to sweep northern China over the next two days, bringing strong winds and a drop in temperatures, while cooler weather will persist in the southern part of the country, the CMA said.

Heavy snow started on March 4 in Harbin, causing 40 to 50 vehicles and nearly 100 people to be trapped on roads on March 5, according to the county's traffic management bureau.

Parts of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hebei provinces, as well as the Inner Mongolia autonomous region are due to see heavy snow through Tuesday, according to the CMA.

Temperatures in the western parts of Inner Mongolia, most of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, along with northern China will drop by 6 to 8 C accompanied by moderate to strong wind early this week.

After experts warned the cold weather and persistent damp might cause damage to winter wheat crops, farmers were urged to take protective measures.

Temperatures in the south are likely to drop by 10 to 12 degrees. Rain and snow are also due to hit south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the CMA said.

Heavy rain, which has already hit Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong provinces, is due to continue and parts of the affected areas are expected to have strong winds with possible thunderstorms.

On March 2, more than 3,100 bolts of lightning flashed across the sky in Hunan province, according to the CMA.

Questions:

1. How did the heavy snow that started falling on Harbin on March 4 affect traffic?

2. Why are farmers concerned about the new round of winter weather?

3. How much lightning did the residents of Hunan province see on March 2?

Answers:

1. The heavy snows caused 40 to 50 vehicles and nearly 100 people to be trapped on roads on March 5, according to the county's traffic management bureau.

2. Experts warned the cold weather and persistent damp might cause damage to winter wheat crops, so farmers were urged to take protective measures.

3. According to weather authorities, more than 3,100 bolts of lightning flashed across the sky in Hunan province on March 2.

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（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.