With winds forecasted to reach up to 150 kph, northern China is set to face extreme weather this weekend. Authorities have issued an orange alert and suspended outdoor activities, urging residents to heed safety precautions.
China on High Alert as Extreme Winds Approach Northern Regions
China on High Alert as Extreme Winds Approach Northern Regions
Millions are advised to stay indoors as a cold vortex from Mongolia brings unprecedented winds and plummeting temperatures across northern China.
As northern China braces for a weekend of extreme weather, millions are being urged to stay indoors as stronger-than-usual winds are set to sweep across the region. The forecast predicts wind speeds up to 150 kph (93 mph) will impact cities including Beijing, Tianjin, and the Hebei province, beginning Friday and lasting through Sunday. State media outlets have cautioned individuals weighing under 50 kg (110 lbs) could be seriously at risk.
This warning is significant, as it marks the issuance of an orange alert for gales—the second-highest warning in the country's four-tiered weather alert system—for the first time in a decade. Meteorological officials noted that this cold vortex, moving southeast from Mongolia, is bringing atypically high winds that have not been experienced in recent years.
As temperatures are expected to drop sharply—by as much as 13 degrees Celsius within 24 hours—officials are implementing precautionary measures. The Beijing Meteorological Service has characterized the winds as "extreme" and "disastrous," with anticipated gusts ranging between levels 11 to 13 on China's wind scale—where level 12 signifies potential "extreme destruction."
In response to the threat, numerous outdoor events, including a highly anticipated humanoid robot half marathon, have been postponed. Parks and tourist destinations have been closed, construction projects halted, and public transport services temporarily suspended. Authorities have even reinforced thousands of trees to reduce the risk of falling branches.
As residents prepare to stay indoors, social media has lit up with humorous responses to the unexpected changes in weekend plans. One Weibo user joked about the perfectly timed winds that wouldn't affect Monday work schedules, while cautionary advice regarding the risks associated with heavyweight individuals has merged into lighthearted banter.
Moreover, a warning for potential forest fires has also been issued, prompting restrictions against outdoor fires to mitigate further hazards. The winds are anticipated to begin subsiding by Sunday night, offering a sigh of relief to residents once this extreme weather pattern passes.
