China’s meteorological authorities have activated a Level-IV emergency response as strong winds, sandstorms and a cold wave are forecast to impact large swathes of northern China from Friday through Sunday.
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) announced the emergency measure amid expectations of widespread hazardous weather linked to powerful winds and blowing dust.
On Friday, the National Meteorological Center issued yellow alerts for strong winds and sandstorms, along with a blue alert for a cold wave.
According to the National Meteorological Center, strong winds are forecast to affect multiple regions, including Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Shaanxi. Parts of north China, the country’s northeast, and the Shandong Peninsula are also expected to experience significant gusts.
The combination of high winds and dry conditions is likely to trigger blowing sand and floating dust across the affected areas, including parts of northern Henan. Some localities may see full-scale sandstorms or heavy sandstorms, forecasters warned.
China operates a four-tier weather warning system, with red denoting the most severe alert, followed by orange, yellow and blue. The current yellow warnings signal a relatively high risk of disruptive conditions, while the blue cold wave alert indicates a lower but notable level of concern.
The emergency response framework mirrors this structure, with Level I representing the most serious response and Level IV the least severe. Although Level IV is the lowest tier, authorities typically activate it to ensure preparedness measures are in place and to coordinate monitoring and response efforts.
Officials have urged residents in affected regions to take precautions against strong winds, reduced visibility and potential travel disruptions, while local governments have been advised to strengthen safety measures and minimize risks to infrastructure and public health.