China issued its first gale orange alert in ten years, driving millions indoors as the country prepares for ferocious winds forecast to lash Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei during the weekend. The strong winds, which sweep in from Mongolia, are projected to hit gusts of as much as 150kph, threatening public safety, particularly for people under 50kg, who are warned by officials to be “easily blown away.”
Intensified by a cold vortex sweeping down from Mongolia, the storm is predicted to bring a stunning 13°C temperature reduction in just 24 hours once it arrives on Saturday. The impending winds were described by weather authorities as “extreme, long-lasting, wide-reaching, and highly destructive.”
The China Meteorological Administration said gusts are expected to hit levels 11 to 13 on the nation’s 17-tier wind scale. Level 11 is linked with “serious damage,” while level 12 and higher mean “extreme destruction.”
Chinese authorities have responded by cancelling outdoor activities, suspending classes, and asking residents to remain indoors. Among the events cancelled is the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon, originally planned for the weekend.
Parks and tourist spots have been shut down, building projects suspended, and train services cancelled in the affected regions. Authorities are also pruning and supporting thousands of trees to avoid damage and injuries.
These strong seasonal winds are not rare in northern China, but meteorologists indicate this weekend’s gale-force winds may be the strongest in years. The public has been advised to stay away from travel and stock up on emergency supplies.
The Beijing Weather Service highlighted the intensity of the storm, instructing citizens to take warnings in earnest. The government on alert, the country readies to weather what has the potential to be one of the most interruptive windstorms in recent history.
