| Astro: | December 21 – March 20 |
| Meteo: | December 1 – February 28 |
| Year: | 2023 |
| First Event Started: | December 12, 2023 |
| Fatalities: | 25 |
| Related: | 2023–24 North American winter |
| Region: | Asia |
The 2023/2024 Asian winter refers to all winter events that affect the continent of Asia. The first day of meteorological winter begins on December 1 2023 and unofficially ends on February 28 2024 winter storms may still occur outside of these limits.
Citing the ongoing El Niño, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a winter forecast on September 19, 2023, estimating an 80% likelihood for below normal snowfall for the country's western coastline, as well as a 90% chance for above normal temperatures from December to February.[1]
On December 12, a snowstorm in Beijing closed schools and highways, the second snowstorm in a week.[2] Beijing recorded their longest stretch of below freezing temperatures afterwards, before thawing on December 24.[3]
On December 22, a winter storm in the Sea of Japan dropped heavy snowfall in northern Japan, reaching 5cm (02inches) in Nozawaonsen in Nagano Prefecture in northern Honshu. The snow caused power outages for about 2,000 people.[4]
On December 30, Seoul, South Korea experienced its heaviest snowfall for December in 40 years, recording 12.2cm (04.8inches) of snowfall. This contributed to traffic accidents.[5]
After a powerful earthquake in Japan on New Years Day, snowfall in the country disrupted rescue teams and relief distribution.[6] On January 16, two planes damaged each other after skidding on a snowy tarmac at New Chitose Airport in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.[7]
On January 18, Nepal's only ski resort, Kalinchowk, experienced its first snowfall, about six weeks later than normal. Toward the end of January, snowfall rates in the Himalayas were significantly below normal.[8]
On January 22, a cold wave moved across eastern Asia, which delayed or canceled at least 132 flights in South Korea, and caused damage in at least 57 buildings due to water damage.[9]
A winter storm in Japan results in 800 cars being trapped on the Meishin Expressway.[10]
On February 19, an avalanche in Afghanistan's Nuristan Province killed 25 people.[11]
On February 21, snowfall in across northeastern China, including Beijing, closed highways and schools.[12]