Northwest China socked by major blizzard

BEIJING, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Forecasters warned people in northwestern China on Monday to brace for several more days of severe blizzard conditions.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been particularly hit hard with freezing temperatures, heavy snow and high winds since Dec. 29, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Sunday, temperatures plummeted in another blast of Siberian air, and local officials renewed a call for farmers to round up livestock and move animals to safety.

State meteorologists said the winter storm is expected to last at least until Friday.