Cold snap to follow Xi'an's first snow

"The first snow came earlier this year on Monday, but that doesn't mean this winter will be much colder than previous years," said Liu Yong, a chief forecaster at the provincial meteorological center. "The snowfall was the result of the cold air mixing with water vapor, as influenced by low trough. How cold this year could be depends on the activity of the cold air later."

Residents of Xi'an, the ancient city renowned as the capital of 13 dynasties, awoke to snow falling on Monday, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery throughout the day.