Refer China: Heavy Air Pollution Chokes Shanghai, Likely to Persist Until Jan 10

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Heavy Air Pollution Chokes Shanghai, Likely to Persist Until Jan 10

Yesterday (January 6), heavy smog swept across Shanghai, triggering widespread concern among residents and health warnings from authorities. The sky took on a gray, hazy tone throughout the day as PM2.5 concentrations surged rapidly in the afternoon.

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By 2 PM on the 6th, Shanghai's real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) had climbed to 192—classified as moderate pollution—with PM2.5 identified as the primary pollutant. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with heart or respiratory conditions, were advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

By 3 PM, parts of the city had entered severe pollution levels, marked by purple alerts on the AQI maps.

Social media was flooded with local complaints:

"My throat and nose are burning!"

"The sky looks like Silent Hill."

"It literally feels like there's dust in my mouth."

Some netizens noted a combination of smog and sleet, urging others to wear protective masks when heading outside.

According to forecasts from Shanghai's Environmental Monitoring Center, the city is expected to face continued air pollution episodes driven by upstream PM2.5 inflows and local accumulation. Specifically, new pollution waves are anticipated:

The night of January 7 through the morning of January 8
The night of January 9

Chief forecaster Wang Qian explained that a northwesterly wind was transporting polluted air masses into the city. This pattern is likely to cause a renewed spike in PM2.5 levels on the afternoon of January 7 and into the morning of January 8, followed by another rise on January 9.

The situation is expected to improve around Saturday, January 10, as stronger cold air and wind patterns may help disperse pollutants more effectively.

Since November 2025, meteorological conditions have been unfavorable for pollutant dispersion—marked by lower-than-average rainfall and weaker cold fronts. These factors have contributed to more frequent and prolonged pollution events throughout the autumn and winter months.

Source: 新民晚报