HARBIN -- The meteorological observatory of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province issued at 11:45 am Friday a red alert, the highest in China's four-tier warning system, for blizzards.

Over the past nine hours, snowfall has reached up to 18.3 mm at certain farms in the cities of Wudalianchi and Nenjiang. Snowfall of 6 to 8 mm is expected in the following hours in the two cities, with total snowfall exceeding 20 mm over a 12-hour period.

New snowfall is forecast to accumulate to depths of between 15 and 25 cm over the same period.

The heavy snow will be accompanied by strong winds of up to 17.1 meters per second, leading to blowing snow and significantly reduced visibility, the authorities said, adding that the conditions are expected to cause road icing and snow accumulation, disrupting traffic, with potential blockages on some sections.