Sandstorms hit north China in next two days

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-02-2008 09:18

Parts of northern China have been hit by their first sandstorm this year. Meteorological authorities say a recent cold front is to blame for the dusty weather.

Parts of northern China have been hit by their first  sandstorm this year. Meteorological authorities say a  recent cold front is to blame for the dusty weather. (CCTV.ocm)

Sand and dust swept across several counties in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Drivers and cyclists were forced to a crawl, as visibility was less than 200 meters.

In Gansu province, the storms started on Friday morning. The arid Minqin county experienced the worst sandstorm of the year so far. Strong winds had only worsened the situation.

The sandstorms also hit several regions in Xinjiang, Ningxia, and Shaanxi.

Henan, Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin also witnessed different degrees of dusty and sandy weather.

According to the China Meteorological Administration, dusty weather will continue until Sunday in large swathes of northern China. Sandstorms are expected to hit the Hetao region of Inner Mongolia and northern Shannxi areas in the next two days.

Forecasters say the northern regions are likely to experience more frequent and also more severe sandstorms this spring.

They say the bad weather is related to the La Nina phenomenon and abnormal atmospheric circulation, which will continue until summer.

Editor:Du Xiaodan