Winter weather in Jingmen City

Jingmen Winter
This post will start off with some geeky stuff, but you know - this is me here.  Besides, I'm alone for the next 12 days and need something to do.  Many people asked about how the weather will be in China compared to the upstate of South Carolina.  Jingmen City is actually in the same climate zone as Greenville, SC.  The AVERAGE temperatures are nearly the same, but there are some differences.  Here in Jingmen, and unlike Greenville, they are able to grow citrus crops - I mentioned the tasty oranges in a previous post.  Jingmen is not subjected to the early deep cold snaps we have during the fall in South Carolina (caused by the Jet Stream bringing down Canadian air) that would destroy the fruit near harvest time.   However, there is typically more cloudy days here during the winter and this keeps the daytime high temperatures a bit cooler than Greenville (Red vs  Dark Blue line below).

The nearby lake (at least twice the size of Jocassee in SC) helps to keep our air moist - so a little wind makes it feel much colder here than the actual temp.  Oh, and we're situated a little lower in elevation than Greenville too, which also contributes,I think, to more humidity.  A typical year here will feature a couple of small snowstorms with 1-3 inches each.  And just like Greenville the snow melts quickly.

SNOWMAGEDDON 2018 IN CHINA

However, since I'm here, you can take what I just said (and the graph above) and throw it all out the window.  Starting yesterday afternoon, and continuing as I write this, we're having one of the biggest winter storms in around 10 years!  

Citrus trees near the water,  rows of tea behind those

The factory where I would normally be working is out of power, and it's a winter wonderland everywhere else.  It's also cold and the high temps will not reach past 32-34 for the next several days.  Some highways are shut down today.

Fortunately, the hotel still has power.  I've also solved the problem of the hotel workers opening my windows during the day with help from my translator, Serina.  Now I like the fresh air as much as anybody, but when its 30 deg and windy - not so much.  Sadly, Serina will be flying back to the states tomorrow if the airports are open - but a new employee with some good English skills is starting soon to help me out.

It could be a long couple of days since they do not have the equipment here to move snow.  It's actually pretty crazy considering back in South Carolina, the city of Charleston just got an equally rare 6" of snow also the last 24 hrs.  I feel you Charleston!

Brrrr...snowy and breezy...in front of hotel about 1 hour ago.

Hotel workers clearing the driveway.

Then again, China has a lot of people who can wield a lot of brooms and shovels!

Just now, the snow slacked up and the workers made some headway.

The plan is to pick up my laundry and make a return to Walmart when the road conditions improve - no earlier than tomorrow I think.  If anyone needs me, I'll be right here :-)