URUMQI, Dec. 8-- Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, had the heaviest snowfall of the winter so far on Monday, disrupting traffic.

The snow began early Monday morning, and was up to 200 mm by noon. Highway traffic was controlled and the airport has suspended operations.

As of Monday noon, only two flights had landed and three planes had taken off. Most flights were delayed while snowplows were working on the runway and parking apron.

Seven flights have been canceled and more than 3,500 passengers were stranded at the airport.

Two other airports, Yining and Tacheng, in northwest Xinjiang were temporarily suspended in the morning.

The cold snap is expected to last until Tuesday.