Uncommon, typhoon-level winds raged over northern China on Saturday, causing mass disruption, grounding hundreds of flights, and closing down famous landmarks and public events. The strong gusts triggered by a cold vortex of air from neighbouring Mongolia dropped temperatures by over 12°C and deposited late-season snow and hail in parts of the region.
Beijing was one of the worst-hit, declaring its second-highest wind warning the first in more than a decade. Gales reached 148 km/h in some areas, the highest since 1951, leading officials to call on the capital’s 22 million people to stay away from non-essential travel. Almost 800 flights were grounded at the two main airports Beijing Capital and Daxing while rail services were suspended in several provinces.
The effect spread to at least eight provinces, where sandstorms and strong winds paralyzed road transport. Sandstorms were predicted to reach Shanghai by Saturday afternoon and extend into Sunday morning. Central and northern parts, including Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and mountainous regions of Beijing, were all put under high wind warnings by the national weather centre.
As a reaction to the extreme weather, Universal Studios Beijing and major cultural sites such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven were closed temporarily. Planned football games and open-air events were also canceled, such as a half-marathon that would have seen humanoid robots compete with human runners in an exhibition of China’s technological advancements.
The harsh weather conditions triggered online posts, with users on social media showing concern for outdoor workers, especially food delivery drivers. “In such weather, we can decide not to order delivery,” posted one Weibo user, reflecting the common sentiment.
The storm has highlighted the increasing challenge of extreme weather in the region, with authorities still on high alert as conditions continue to change.