High Winds Disrupt Air Travel and Transport in Beijing

Beijing faced a weather crisis on Saturday as strong winds forced cancellations of hundreds of flights and shut down train services, impacting daily life for millions.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and train services disrupted in Beijing and northern China due to unusually strong winds, with speeds reaching up to 93mph (150 kph). As reported locally, by 11:30 am on Saturday, 838 flights were grounded across the city’s two major airports. This unprecedented wind force, recorded as the strongest in over 50 years, is expected to persist throughout the weekend, leading to the temporary closure of popular tourist spots and historic sites.

Authorities urged the public to remain indoors, with state media cautioning that individuals weighing under 50kg could be at risk of being "easily blown away." The strong winds resulted in the suspension of various train services, including the airport express subway line and several high-speed rail routes. Additionally, parks closed their gates as almost 300 trees were reported to have fallen, despite some being reinforced or trimmed in preparation for the gales.

Despite the turbulence, there were no immediate reports of injuries, as many residents complied with safety advisories aimed at avoiding non-essential travel. One resident noted the city’s unusual calm: "Everyone in Beijing was really nervous about it. Today there are hardly any people out on the streets. However, it wasn’t as severe as I had imagined," he shared with reporters.

Travelers faced significant delays, including a businessman from Zhejiang province whose flight was cancelled due to the high winds. "All scheduled flights for last night and today were cancelled. I will probably have to rebook my flight in a couple of days. I'm now basically stranded in Beijing," he lamented.

The severe winds are a result of a cold vortex system originating from Mongolia, and Beijing officials issued their first orange alert for unparalleled winds in a decade. The China Meteorological Administration categorizes wind speeds on a scale from level 1 to 17; current estimates project winds at levels 11 to 13, with hopes that conditions will begin to improve by Sunday.