Beijing is bracing for a weekend of extreme weather as meteorological authorities issued an orange alert for strong winds, the first in nearly a decade. The alert, issued on Thursday morning, warns residents of sustained gales and a sharp drop in temperatures from Friday afternoon to Sunday.

According to Lei Lei, chief meteorologist at the Beijing Meteorological Service, the strong winds are driven by a powerful cold vortex moving southeast from Mongolia. The winds are expected to intensify around the western and northern regions of Beijing by around 5 pm on Friday and reach downtown by 8 pm.

Saturday is expected to be the period of the strongest winds, with an average wind force of around 6 on the Beaufort scale across the entire city. In the plains, gusts may reach 9 to 11 on the Beaufort scale, while in the western and northern regions, gusts could reach 11 to 13. Mountainous areas are likely to face gusts exceeding 13 on the Beaufort scale, with wind speeds reaching 41.4 meters per second.

The extreme winds will be accompanied by a significant temperature drop. The maximum temperature on Saturday is expected to fall to 14 degrees Celsius, a 13-degree-Celsius decrease within a 24-hour period. There is also a possibility of sandstorms or dust in the air during the strong winds from Friday evening to Saturday.

In response to the impending severe weather, the city government has issued several recommendations and directives. Organized outdoor sports or gatherings should be suspended, and outdoor activities for primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and related training institutions should be halted. The public is advised to avoid outdoor activities, and outdoor fire use is strictly prohibited. Unnecessary travel is discouraged, and vehicles and individuals are advised not to linger beneath tall buildings, billboards, temporary structures, or large trees. All outdoor construction work and recreational activities are to be halted.

On Wednesday afternoon, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong chaired a meeting to deploy measures for the upcoming severe wind weather, emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk assessments and coordinated efforts to ensure public safety.