Guangzhou residents were excited Sunday to observe snow falling in their subtropical city for the first time in 88 years. Even if the flakes were small and the snow didn’t really stick, people were out in force taking photos of this rare phenomenon.

The bride and groom kiss in the snow

Despite weather predictions calling for Guangzhou temperatures fall to 1℃ over the weekend as a result of a cool current, weathermen said the possibility of snow was slim. But the weather played tricks on the forecasters, dropping a brief flurry of flakes in both the suburban districts and downtown.

A rumor that the snow covered Baiyun Mountain attracted thousands of locals and caused congregation around the base of the mountain. Police were prompted to impose traffic control in the area to keep cars moving.

The Canton Tower, however, gleefully welcomed the snow at its the top, according to its official social media. Small ice grains were observed Sunday morning in the downtown district of the city. People even were able to create tiny snowmen.

Snow at Canton Tower

Staff at the top of Canton Tower

Visitors make a snowman at the top of the Canton Tower

The last snow to grace the city fell on February 1, 1928, according to the Guangzhou Republic Daily.

Forecasters with the meteorological observatory predict that the central and northern parts of Guangdong, as well as some mountainous areas in southern sector of the province, will see cooler temperatures in the coming three days, along with strong winds.

(By Jessie Huang, Louis Berney)