Locals had to traverse waist-deep snow as an extreme winter storm stunned the city of Weihai, China's Shandong Province.

Footage from December 17 shows a person trudging through the snow that has exceeded 60 centimetres in some areas.

Further footage shows vehicles completely engulfed by the snow and pathways being dug in the snow.

According to local reports, the snowfall started on December 15 and ceased three days later.

One resident remarked in a report: "The last time we had such heavy snowfall was 18 years ago."

The severe snowfall in the City of Weihai in Shandong Province has astonished Chinese netizens. The accumulated snow on roads has reached waist-high levels, prompting residents to resort to "digging tunnels" to facilitate their movement.

The video was filmed on December 17.

According to local media, the snowfall began in the area on the evening of the 15th, continued throughout the 16th, diminished on the 17th, and ceased on the 18th.

The snow accumulation in some areas has exceeded 60 centimeters. Some citizens dig through the snow in a "blind-box style" search for their cars. One resident remarked in a report, "The last time we had such heavy snowfall was 18 years ago."