#Beijing sees coldest December on record in more than 70 years

Beijing recorded more than 300 hours of sub-freezing temperatures in the last two weeks, setting a record for the coldest two-week period in China’s capital city since officials began tracking.

The official newspaper, the Beijing Daily, said the two-week period starting on Dec. 11 had the most hours of sub-freezing temperatures since 1951, The Associated Press reported.

The city also had nine consecutive days reaching a low of at least 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

The National Meteorological Centre, the AP reported, recorded all-time low temperatures during the month of December. Average temperatures in other parts of China also hit record lows hit in 1961, the AP reported, citing the center.

The Beijing Meteorological Observatory announced early Dec. 26 local time that temperatures would rise and reach a high of 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday. The low could drop to 17.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Earlier this year, in June, Beijing saw its highest day on record, with temperatures reaching as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit.