2013 Harbin Smog Eased, No Impact on Harbin Ice Festival

A dense wave of smog began in the Chinese city of Harbin and the surrounding Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces on 20 October 2013. Unseasonably warm temperatures with very little wind across northeastern China coincided with the smoke from local farmer's straws burning and the initiation of Harbin's coal-powered municipal heating system. Record densities of fine particulates were measured in the city. In Harbin, the airport and kindergarten through middle schools were closed for three days. All highways in Heilongjiang were closed.

The smog eased on October 25, 2013 and had completely dissipated on October 28, 2013 by the fisrt local snow and sleet weather due to a cold front moving in from Russia. This smog will have no impact on Harbin Ice Festival events late in December 2013.

Authoritative Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Harbin_smog
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1337901/flights-resume-and-schools-reopen-smog-eases-harbin