On November 1st, Beijing had its first snowfall of the winter. It was the earliest winter snow in 22 years.

And this week, more snow blanketed northern China. The unseasonal snowstorms swept Beijing and other cities, creating havoc for travelers and motorists.

On Wednesday, Hebei Province recorded its heaviest snowfall in 54 years. The snow collapsed the roof of a school cafeteria. 28 students were hurt, and three later died in the hospital.

And in the city of Xi’an, two separate cave-ins caused by heavy snow left 5 people dead.

In Beijing, heavy snow forced the cancellation more than 200 flights this week.

According to China Daily, an unnamed official said that the snowstorms on both November 1st and this past Tuesday the 10th were artificially induced. He says the Beijing Weather Modification Office had seeded the clouds, spraying them with tiny particles to force precipitation. And both times, it was done without notifying the public.

And the latest news now is that the China Meteorological Administration is denying the report by state-run China Daily that the Beijing Weather Modification Office induced the latest snowfall.