Xiaoxue

Xiaoxue (小雪) is a weather phenomenon, indicating that the snowy season begins.

Different from the ordinary meaning of "light snow" in the weather forecast, Xiaoxue refers more to the weather characteristics during a period of time.

Weather:

During the period of Lidong, most parts of north China enter the winter and there is snow only in northwest and northeast China, but when Xiaoxue comes, the vast areas in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River enter winter, and it begins to snow in north China.

Winter is the season with the lowest rainfall during the year, and south China has more rain than north China. It often starts snowing after mid-December in the areas south of Yangtze River where cold and wet weather makes people feel chilly. In the areas north of the Yellow River, indoor central heating starts in mid-November, but in the places south of the Yellow River it is cold and wet without heating in the house. Nowadays, public places and some well-off families can afford to have heaters for the winter.

Lifestyle:

People may easily catch cold or flu in winter since it is warm indoors and cold outdoors. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), people need to adjust themselves to the weather changes. First, they should have enough sunshine and fresh air. Secondly, they should eat enough nutritious food. Bamboo shoot soup, winter melon soup, balsam pear, corn, buckwheat, carrot, lamb, beef and other high-energy food are highly recommended dishes.