2011 Nov 06 Where’s the Heat?
A friend recently mused that the best time to leave Beijing isn’t in the dead of winter, but in the chilling weeks when the cold arrives and the heat has yet to come on. The first cold snap of the season, back in late October, left residents reaching for the layers and trying to remember how long they needed to wait until the city hits the on switch.
In Beijing, one of the most anticipated days of the year is November 15, when the heat finally goes on. Residents may get a taste of warm air while the heating gets tested, starting on November 7. The only other way the heat will go on earlier is if temperatures drop to an average of 5 degrees C (41 F) for five straight days – which seems unlikely, with the bearable temperatures we've been experiencing so far.
Two years ago, Beijing’s furnaces were turned on two weeks early, a small consolation for the bitter cold winter. Last year didn’t bring any early heating, but Beijing was bundling up a good bit earlier and a lot heavier than we are presently.
If Beijingers are lucky, weather over the next few days will stay relatively mild, but while you wait there are other ways to keep warm. Lap up winter favorites like hot pot or sip on warming remedies at bars around town. If you want to stay warm at home, Taobao has a long list of electric blankets.
Photo: echinacities.com
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Is the Heating Coming on Early This Year?
Cold temperatures the past few days have reminded everyone that winter is coming – and that the city-wide central heating doesn’t come on until November. Rumors have been circulating that the heating will go on early this year, but Xinhua has stated that the schedule will only change if really bad weather sets in.
Is Your House Getting Colder?
If your apartment is feeling a little colder than normal, you’re not imagining things. Today, the city turns off the heating (exact time unknown), after having given us an extra three days to get over the cold snap that was predicted. Now we can only wait and hope that temperatures don’t drop again, but we should probably keep our winter blankets nearby just in case.
The Heat is Off
The weather is warming up which means it’s time for the heating to shut off. Last November, we were counting the days for some warmth, but with temperatures almost balmy heating is the last thing one people’s minds.
This is Not Snow
Beijingers are excited over the city's first snowfall yesterday that made its way into parts of Haidian District. Except it wasn’t the first snowfall, there wasn’t enough to make it count, which leaves everyone still waiting for some sign of winter, other than bone-chilling cold.
Toasting Hot: Warm Your Insides, One Swig at a Time
Beijing temperatures plummet to as low as -20˚ degrees Celsius in the coming months, but don’t let the cold get in the way of your fun. Agenda shows us the best palces to grab a pal and warm up on the hot drink specials all around town instead.
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Re: Where’s the Heat?
Depends where you live. Our compound has had heat for a while now.