Hehuan Mountain Welcomes Its First Snowfall of the Year; Icy Roads on the Mountain Trigger Traffic Controls

Hehuan Mountain is blanketed in thick snow, creating a silver-white wonderland. (Photo by Liao Zhaoxiang)

Hehuan Mountain sees snowfall; the highway bureau may implement traffic controls depending on conditions. (Photo by Liao Zhaoxiang)

Hehuan Mountain is frozen over with deep snow accumulation; vehicles must use snow chains to pass. (Photo provided by mountain enthusiast You Zhengyu)

Hehuan Mountain is ice-covered, transformed into a silver-white world. (Photo provided by mountain enthusiast You Zhengyu)

As the first cold wave of the 2018 winter season swept through with full force, the 9th brought Hehuan Mountain its first auspicious snowfall of the year. This morning, snow continued to fall on Hehuan Mountain, with temperatures dropping to a low of -5.8°C. Sleet and snow fell as well, turning scenic spots such as Wuling, Songxue Building, and Hehuan Mountain Lodge into a pristine white landscape. Many visitors flocked to the mountain to admire the snow, nearly filling the parking lots to capacity.

According to data from the Central Weather Bureau, the lowest temperature on Hehuan Mountain this morning occurred at 9:00 AM, reaching -5.8°C. The cumulative rainfall on the 10th was 0.5 mm, much lighter than yesterday’s precipitation. The Wuling area saw about 5 cm of snow accumulation. Due to the risk of icy roads and concerns for traveler safety, the Puli Maintenance Section of the National Freeway Bureau implemented preemptive closure controls on Section 18 km (Cuifeng) to 41 km (Dayuling) of Provincial Highway 14A starting at 6:00 PM last night. Controls were lifted at 7:00 AM today. Early this morning, many vehicles waited at the control station in front of the Cuifeng Police Station, eager to head up the mountain to see the snow.

The Puli Maintenance Section noted that due to icy road conditions—especially between Wuling and Hehuan Mountain Lodge—vehicles are particularly prone to skidding. Today, Section 23 km (Cuifeng) to 41 km (Dayuling) of Provincial Highway 14A is restricted to vehicles equipped with snow chains. Visitors coming to enjoy the snow should come prepared. Control personnel will make dynamic adjustments to management measures based on real-time mountain weather and road conditions. Travelers are encouraged to check CMS variable message signs for road icing updates and tune in to Traffic Radio for real-time traffic conditions.

The Ren'ai Police Precinct also urges visitors to take proper cold-weather precautions when traveling to high altitudes. Should symptoms of altitude sickness such as headache or dizziness occur, visitors should descend the mountain immediately and seek medical attention.