Since January 11, the temperature in the city has been under minus 13 degrees Celsius, with the lowest temperature recorded at minus 15.5 degrees Celsius at dawn of January 12, Beijing Daily reported Monday.

The temperature recorded on January 12 is the coldest temperature recorded in the city in the past ten years, the newspaper said.

Local residents put on extra cloths and reduced outdoor activities. Bus companies wrapped bus handrails with thick cloths for commuters; many taxi drivers were reluctant to be working; and vegetable peddlers went home and started their Lunar New Year holidays earlier than usual, the newspaper said.

Due to the temporary close of a highway connecting Beijing and adjacent provinces, many vegetables were sold at much higher prices at markets.

Experts from the municipal meteorological bureau said that a comparatively strong freezing air is influencing north China, including Beijing and surrounding areas.

They also said that the weather is expected to become warmer on January 16, the newspaper said.

(Xinhua 01/15/2001)