"No Travel or Outings Until the Weekend"... Beijing Issues Storm Warning for the First Time in 10 Years

Outdoor sports, gatherings, and travel should be suspended until the weekend
Trees and utility poles may fall, and temporary structures could collapse

Stock photo of downtown Beijing unrelated to the article content

A powerful storm is forecasted in Beijing, China, prompting the Beijing Emergency Response Headquarters to issue protection guidelines.

Local Chinese media such as Jimu News, Beijing Daily, and Zhonghua Net reported on the 10th that "strong winds will begin blowing in Yanqing, Changping, and other areas from 5 PM on the 11th, and are expected to affect the entire Beijing area by 8 PM," adding that "this is the first time in 10 years such guidelines have been issued."

According to reports, the intensity of the gusts is increasing. Beijing city expects strong gusts of about levels 11 to 13 from 6 AM to 10 PM on the 12th.

Lei Lei, the chief forecaster at the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, told Beijing Daily, "Gusts above level 10 have a force strong enough to cause disasters," explaining that trees and utility poles may be knocked down and temporary structures could collapse. He further advised, "It is dangerous to go outside during strong gusts, so you should never go between high-rise buildings," and "stay far away from temporary structures, billboards, and large trees."

Beijing city recommended, "Outdoor sports, gatherings, and travel should be suspended until the weekend," and "elementary schools, middle schools, kindergartens, and related educational institutions should stop outdoor activities."

Meanwhile, according to the 'China Wind Classification Standards,' level 8 winds have speeds of 17.2 to 20.7 meters per second. At this level, tree branches break and people feel strong resistance when walking. Level 9 winds reach 20.8 to 24.4 meters per second and can cause some damage to houses. Level 10 winds are considered strong winds with speeds of 24.5 to 28.4 meters per second, capable of uprooting trees and collapsing houses. Winds above level 11 are considered 'storms' rarely seen on land, with speeds of 28.5 to 32.6 meters per second. Level 12 is classified as a 'hurricane,' with speeds of 32.7 to 36.9 meters per second. Level 13 winds reach 37.0 to 41.4 meters per second.