Beijing and northern China are currently experiencing unprecedented wind conditions as a cold vortex sweeps in from Mongolia. Over the weekend, extreme winds reaching speeds of up to 150 km/h (93 mph) prompted a Reuters report to state that the capital issued its first orange gale alert in a decade. Residents have been urged to stay indoors as these winds bring not only fierce gales but also the threat of sandstorms.

As of Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed that over 700 flights had been canceled at both Beijing Capital and Daxing airports, causing major disruptions in travel plans. The winds have had significant repercussions, including the closure of popular parks and tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City and Universal Studios theme park, which will remain closed through Sunday.

Reports indicate that the gales have already felled more than 700 trees across the city, crushing cars and impacting infrastructure as noted by CCTV. Public transport has also been severely affected, with dozens of subway lines and train services suspended.

The weather's impact extends beyond just Beijing, with warnings indicating that sandstorms could spread from Inner Mongolia to areas as far south as Shanghai, compromising visibility and road safety. This situation has been exacerbated by climate change, as extreme weather patterns become increasingly frequent across the region reported by Al Jazeera.

Amid this chaos, many residents took to social media to voice their concerns for those braving the storm, such as food delivery workers according to the South China Morning Post. As safety remains a priority, thousands across the region are being reminded to avoid unnecessary travel and adhere to public safety recommendations.

Overall, these conditions represent a clear warning of the increased frequency and intensity of severe weather events as climate change continues to affect weather patterns in northern China.