At 10:30 on April 10, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued its first orange gale alert in a decade, warning that gusts may exceed force 13 in a number of mountainous areas.

Continue reading this article to find out where the fierce gusts may strike and how to stay safe.

Strong winds are forecast to first impact Yanqing, Changping, Mentougou and Fangshan districts at 17:00 on April 11, then spread to urban areas around 20:00. Nighttime gusts will gradually intensify to forces 8-9.

Beijing braces for its strongest winds on April 12, between 6:00 and 22:00. Citywide average speeds will reach force 6, with gusts of forces 9-11 across the plain areas. Stronger gusts of forces 11-13 are expected in parts of Yanqing, Changping, Mentougou, Fangshan, Huairou, Pinggu, Miyun, and other districts. In some mountainous areas, gusts may exceed force 13, accompanied by sandstorms and sharp temperature drops.

What do gusts of force 13 feel like? According to meteorological data, such extreme winds can uproot trees with trunk diameters of approximately 30 centimeters. They may also topple some billboards, temporary structures, transportation facilities and agricultural installations, and may even overturn lightweight vehicles like parked bicycles and electric scooters.

How to stay safe?

Everyone is advised to avoid all open-air activities. It is also strictly prohibited to use open flames outdoors.

Minimize outdoor activities. If travel is essential, stay clear of billboards, construction barriers, temporary construction shelters, dead trees, and all other objects prone to collapse.

When driving, slow down and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to counter strong crosswinds. Avoid parking your vehicle near trees and utility poles to reduce the damage from falling objects.

Check the stability of exterior installations, such as window-mounted shelves and outdoor AC units, and remove unsecured objects like potted plants to prevent causing injuries resulting from falling objects.

Close all windows and doors, and remove flammable materials from balconies and windowsills to prevent airborne embers from igniting indoor fires. If a fire or any other hazard occurs, immediately call 119 and clearly report the location and details of the situation.

(Source: Beijing Daily)