Northern China braces for extreme winds: People under 50kg urged to stay indoors

Authorities in northern China have advised workers to return home quickly, suspended school classes, and cancelled outdoor events as the region prepares for powerful winds over the weekend.

Millions of residents have been told to stay indoors, with some media outlets humorously cautioning that individuals under 50kg might risk being “blown away.” Winds reaching speeds of up to 150kph are forecast to hit Beijing, Tianjin, and parts of Hebei from Friday through Sunday, as a cold air system pushes southeast from Mongolia.

In response, Beijing has issued an orange wind warning—its first in ten years. This is the second-highest level in the country’s four-tier warning system. While seasonal winds from Mongolia are not unusual, this particular weather event is expected to be among the strongest in years. Temperatures in Beijing are projected to plummet by 13°C within a single day on Saturday, coinciding with the most intense winds.

The Beijing Meteorological Service described the upcoming winds as “extremely strong, prolonged, widespread, and potentially very damaging.” China classifies wind strength on a scale from level 1 to 17. Winds between level 11 and 13—expected this weekend—can cause significant to extreme damage, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

Numerous weekend activities have been postponed, including the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon, now rescheduled for April 19. Parks and tourist spots have shut down, construction projects have paused, and some train services have been halted. Thousands of trees have been reinforced or trimmed to prevent storm-related hazards, and people are being warned to stay away from mountainous and forested areas where wind gusts will be even stronger.

Winds are expected to ease by Sunday night.

World