Beijing, April 12, 2025 — Northern China is on high alert this weekend as a powerful cold vortex sweeps in from Mongolia triggering typhoon-like gales and prompting widespread disruptions across the region. Authorities have issued the highest level wind warnings in a decade for the capital Beijing, and surrounding provinces.
According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, wind gusts could reach up to 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph), posing significant risks to public safety. In response Beijing has activated an orange alert the second-highest in China’s four-tier weather warning system for high winds a level not seen in over ten years.
With a sharp temperature drop of up to 12°C expected, officials have urged the city’s 22 million residents to avoid all non-essential travel. Public parks in the capital have been temporarily closed, and dozens of train services have been suspended. Numerous flights have also been canceled as a precaution.
Sporting events have not been spared. The much-anticipated Beijing half marathon has been postponed due to the extreme weather forecast. Organizers cited safety concerns for participants and staff as the primary reason for the delay.
Beyond Beijing, the weather system is expected to bring heavy snowfall to Inner Mongolia and parts of northeast China, while the southern regions brace for severe hailstorms. The Ministry of Emergency Management has warned of additional natural disasters this year, with early 2025 already showing significant economic losses tied to extreme weather events.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating emergency preparedness measures. Citizens are advised to stay indoors, secure loose objects, and follow updates from local weather agencies.
As climate volatility intensifies, experts warn that such unpredictable and extreme weather events could become more frequent, underscoring the need for long-term resilience strategies and upgraded infrastructure across the country.