BEIJING, Jan. 22 -- Highways have been closed and airport traffic was disrupted as the worst cold front in years hit several Chinese provinces.

Starting from 8 a.m. on Friday, highways in at least 12 provinces and municipalities have been closed due to blizzards and snowstorms.

A large part of Jiangxi province, in eastern China, was hit by snowstorms on Friday. The airport in Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi was closed Friday morning. Several sections of the highways in the province were also closed.

Jiangxi's coldest weather since 1992 is expected from Jan. 23 to 26.

Temperatures in Beijing dropped to minus ten degrees Celsius on Friday and is expected to hit a 30-year low of minus 17 degrees Celsius on Saturday, Beijing meteorological station forecast.

The temperature in Genhe City, located in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, dropped to minus 47.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, nearing its historical record of minus 49.6 degrees. Genhe is dubbed as the coldest place in China.

On the streets of Genhe, icy fog clouds the city street and fish vendors can easily snap a frozen fish into two parts.

Ergune and surrounding areas have seen temperatures fall to minus 40 degrees.