Beijing has raised its wind warning to the orange level—its second-highest tier—for the first time in nearly 10 years, as unusually powerful gales are forecast to hit the city from Friday through Sunday, according to the Central Broadcasting Network.
A strong cold front moving through northern China is expected to bring sustained, intense winds across the region. While eastern Inner Mongolia and the northeast will see snowstorms, southern areas of the country are likely to face large hail, and sandstorms are expected in the northwest and parts of Inner Mongolia.
In response, the National Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert for strong winds and a blue alert for sandstorms early Thursday. The China Meteorological Administration also activated a Level III emergency response for major weather events.
Beijing's emergency management department issued advisories urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible, avoid standing near trees, signs, or temporary structures, and refrain from non-essential travel. Guidelines under the orange wind alert include suspending all outdoor group activities and sports, halting outdoor events at schools and training centers, and banning the use of open flames outdoors.
According to forecasts, Beijing will face powerful gusts and a significant drop in temperature starting Friday afternoon. Ma Xuekuan, chief forecaster at the Central Meteorological Observatory, noted that this weather system may produce winds reaching level-11 to level-13 on the Beaufort scale. While level-10 to level-11 winds are occasionally seen in April in this region, gusts exceeding level-12 are extremely rare.
To give context, level-13 winds are strong enough to snap trees around 30 centimeters in diameter and can cause damage to signs, lightweight structures, and even overturn bikes and electric scooters.
Lei Lei, chief meteorologist at Beijing's local station, said the most severe gusts—possibly surpassing level-13—are expected in mountainous areas like Yanqing, Changping, Mentougou, Fangshan, Huairou, Miyun, and Pinggu. These areas are more vulnerable due to terrain-related wind channeling effects.
On Tuesday, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong chaired a meeting to coordinate the city's preparations. He emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and thorough risk assessment, citing the potential scale, duration, and severity of the weather event. Yin called for better weather monitoring, prompt updates, and immediate implementation of emergency plans tailored for extreme conditions. This includes strengthening fire prevention, transportation safety, and public services.
Authorities are also intensifying public information campaigns to keep residents informed. Local media are broadcasting safety tips and updates, and residents are being encouraged to adjust travel plans and take precautions. The city's emergency hotline is on standby to address public concerns.
Several events have already been postponed due to the alert. The Chinese Super League match between Beijing Guoan and Qingdao West Coast at the Workers' Stadium has been delayed, and related press activities were canceled, according to the Beijing Football Association. Former Guoan player Shao Jiayi, now coaching Qingdao, was expected to draw significant attention.
Additionally, the Beijing MC Marathon, initially scheduled for Sunday with 15,000 participants, has been moved to April 19.
Sports analyst Zhang Bin praised the decision, saying it reflected a clear commitment to public safety.
The high winds are also expected to impact air travel.
Some flights at Beijing Capital International Airport may face delays or cancellations. Airport authorities have launched a comprehensive safety inspection and response plan to ensure smooth and safe operations.
If you're in Beijing (or anywhere facing extreme gales with a Level-II/orange wind warning), here's what you should do to stay safe:
🌬️ During the Wind Warning:
✅ Do:
Stay indoors as much as possible.
Secure windows and doors tightly.
Bring in or tie down loose outdoor items (plants, furniture, bikes).
Park vehicles away from trees and billboards.
Charge your phone and power banks in case of outages.
Keep updated via weather apps, news, or official alerts.
Avoid rooftops, scaffoldings, or temporary structures.
🚫 Avoid:
Outdoor activities—especially sports, cycling, or hiking.
Standing near tall objects like trees, poles, signs, or construction.
Driving high-profile/lightweight vehicles if not necessary.
Using open flames outside (very high fire risk).
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