As northern China gears up for a weekend of extreme weather, residents are facing a series of disruptions due to a coming cold vortex. Workers are being instructed to return home quickly, classes have been suspended, and many public events have been cancelled in anticipation of high winds expected to sweep through cities like Beijing, Tianjin, and parts of Hebei from Friday through Sunday.
For the first time in ten years, an orange alert has been declared for gales in Beijing, signifying one of the gravest weather threats in its four-tier warning system. Meteorological authorities have issued grave warnings, noting that individuals weighing under 50kg (110lbs) may be at risk of being “easily blown away” due to the severity of the storm.
The powerful winds, prompted by a cold front moving southeast from Mongolia, are set to deliver a sharp temperature drop of 13 degrees Celsius over a 24-hour period. These winds not only surpass normal seasonal gusts but are also projected to range between levels 11 to 13 on China's wind scale, with level 12 classified as causing "extreme destruction."
As a precaution, several major sporting events slated for this weekend have been postponed, including the world's first humanoid robot half marathon, which is now rescheduled for 19 April. Parks and tourist sites have also closed to ensure public safety, alongside halted construction and train operations. City maintenance crews are proactively pruning and reinforcing trees to minimize the likelihood of falling debris.
Authorities have issued additional warnings regarding fire risks, urging the public to refrain from outdoor activities and avoid mountainous and forested areas where wind gusts are expected to peak.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, some residents are finding humor in the disruptions. Social media platforms buzz with comments about the storm’s timing, with one user joking that rather than forgoing their weekend plans, at least work would remain unaffected on Monday.
As the region braces for the storm's arrival, an air of cautious preparation pervades, with updates expected as winds begin to subside on Sunday night.
For the first time in ten years, an orange alert has been declared for gales in Beijing, signifying one of the gravest weather threats in its four-tier warning system. Meteorological authorities have issued grave warnings, noting that individuals weighing under 50kg (110lbs) may be at risk of being “easily blown away” due to the severity of the storm.
The powerful winds, prompted by a cold front moving southeast from Mongolia, are set to deliver a sharp temperature drop of 13 degrees Celsius over a 24-hour period. These winds not only surpass normal seasonal gusts but are also projected to range between levels 11 to 13 on China's wind scale, with level 12 classified as causing "extreme destruction."
As a precaution, several major sporting events slated for this weekend have been postponed, including the world's first humanoid robot half marathon, which is now rescheduled for 19 April. Parks and tourist sites have also closed to ensure public safety, alongside halted construction and train operations. City maintenance crews are proactively pruning and reinforcing trees to minimize the likelihood of falling debris.
Authorities have issued additional warnings regarding fire risks, urging the public to refrain from outdoor activities and avoid mountainous and forested areas where wind gusts are expected to peak.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, some residents are finding humor in the disruptions. Social media platforms buzz with comments about the storm’s timing, with one user joking that rather than forgoing their weekend plans, at least work would remain unaffected on Monday.
As the region braces for the storm's arrival, an air of cautious preparation pervades, with updates expected as winds begin to subside on Sunday night.
