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Northern China Faces Record Winds, Snow, and Hail as Cold Vortex Intensifies

Beijing issues its first orange gale alert in a decade, disrupting travel, closing landmarks, and urging millions to stay indoors.

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Tourists dressed as emperors react to strong winds outside the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Overview

  • Typhoon-like winds reaching up to 150 km/h, driven by a cold vortex from Mongolia, are creating historic weather conditions across northern China.
  • Beijing has canceled nearly 700 flights and shut down train services, historic landmarks, and public parks due to safety concerns.
  • Authorities have postponed major events, including a humanoid robot half-marathon, and reinforced thousands of trees to mitigate wind damage.
  • Heavy snowfall blankets Inner Mongolia, while southern China experiences intense hailstorms, adding to the storm's widespread impact.
  • Meteorologists warn wind speeds could surpass April records dating back to 1951, with conditions expected to ease by Sunday night.