Blown Away: Dust and Winds to Continue Through Tomorrow

With dust and sand blown in from Mongolia already arriving in northwest Beijing by this morning, municipal meteorological authorities have issued dual warnings on both high levels of dust and strong winds, with gusts expected to reach as high as level 9 on the Beauford Scale today, meaning a windspeed upwards of 75 kilometers per hour.

As the Beijing News recently reported, the increased frequency of sand and dust storms this spring is due to a combination of high temperatures in northeast Mongolia and water shortages throughout that country, which creates ideal conditions for sand-filled cyclones. The sand is then blown towards Beijing and other parts of China when the regions annual gusts begin to blow.

Tomorrow’s winds will reach up to level 7 on the Beauford, which means winds faster than 61 kilometers per hour. The winds will likely also carry dust, as PM10 levels are projected to stay high throughout the city. Authorities recommend wearing a sturdy mask when heading outdoors.

Fortunately, the temperature won’t take a hit and may find yourself enjoying highs of 25 degrees Celsius – as long as you aren’t blown away in the process.

READ: Beicology: What's in a Beijing Sandstorm?

Images: Verne Ho (via UNSPLASH)