- China Braces for 150kph Winds
- Beijing Issues Orange Gale Alert
- Northern China Hit by Extreme Winds
Northern China is preparing for extreme winds this weekend, prompting authorities to take widespread precautionary measures. Workers have been urged to hurry home, classes have been suspended, and outdoor events have been canceled to ensure public safety.
Millions of residents have been advised to stay indoors, with some state media humorously warning that individuals weighing less than 50kg (110lbs) might be “easily blown away.”
The winds, which are expected to reach speeds of 150kph (93mph), are forecast to impact Beijing, Tianjin, and parts of Hebei province between Friday and Sunday. A cold vortex moving southeast from Mongolia is driving these unprecedented conditions.
In response, Beijing has issued its first orange alert for gales in a decade, signaling the second-highest level in China’s four-tier weather warning system.
While strong winds from Mongolia are typical during this time of year, meteorologists warn that the impending gusts could surpass previous events in severity.
“This strong wind is extreme, lasts for a long time, affects a wide area, and is highly disastrous,” the Beijing Meteorological Service stated.
Officials noted that temperatures in Beijing are expected to plummet by 13 degrees Celsius within 24 hours when the strongest winds arrive on Saturday.
China’s wind speed scale ranges from levels 1 to 17. The China Meteorological Administration describes level 11 winds as capable of causing “serious damage,” while level 12 winds bring “extreme destruction.” This weekend’s winds are forecast to fall between levels 11 and 13.
The weather warning has led to the suspension of several events, including the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon, which has been rescheduled for April 19. Parks, tourist attractions, construction projects, and train services have also been shut down as authorities emphasize minimizing outdoor activities.
Thousands of trees have been reinforced or pruned across Beijing to prevent them from falling, and officials have cautioned residents to avoid mountains and forests where gusts are expected to be particularly strong.
As northern China braces for the winds, social media users are finding humor in the situation.
“This wind is so sensible, it starts on Friday evening and ends on Sunday, without disrupting work on Monday at all,” joked one Weibo user.
Others have embraced the warning with witty remarks. A trending hashtag referenced the advisory for people under 50kg, with one user quipping: “I eat so much all the time, just for this day.”
In addition to the gale warning, Beijing has issued an alert for forest fires and prohibited outdoor burning during this time.
The winds are expected to weaken by Sunday night, bringing an end to this intense weather event.
