Rare Typhoon-Like Winds Disrupt Beijing and Northern China

On April 12, 2025, Beijing was struck by rare typhoon-like winds reaching speeds up to 150 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour), causing widespread disruptions across the city and northern China. The powerful gales, driven by a cold vortex from neighboring Mongolia, led to the closure of major historical sites, significant travel cancellations, and environmental damage.

The China Meteorological Administration reported that the cold vortex system, which formed over Mongolia, moved eastward and southward, sweeping across northern China from Friday through the weekend. This system brought some of the strongest winds recorded in over 75 years, with speeds reaching up to 148 kph (92 mph). Beijing issued its first orange alert—the second-highest tier—for strong winds in a decade, advising its 22 million residents to avoid non-essential travel.

Disruptions and Closures

The extreme weather led to the temporary closure of several of Beijing's renowned tourist attractions, including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. Additionally, the Universal Studios theme park suspended operations at least through Sunday. By 2 p.m. local time, 693 flights were canceled at Beijing's two international airports—Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing. Train services, including the airport express subway line and some high-speed rail lines, were also suspended. The strong winds uprooted over 700 trees in the city, causing damage to vehicles and infrastructure.

The adverse weather also prompted the postponement of the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, initially scheduled for April 13, to April 19. This event is notable for featuring humanoid robots running alongside human participants for the full 21.1-kilometer course. Experts indicated that windy conditions pose a greater risk to robots, potentially causing them to tip due to limited training data under such conditions.

Broader Impact

Sandstorms originating from the arid Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts affected regions from Inner Mongolia to the Yangtze River, disrupting road travel in eight provinces and expected to reach Shanghai. These sandstorms have long posed a recurring challenge for Beijing, where they can severely reduce visibility and affect public health.

The severe weather conditions raised public concern for outdoor workers, such as food delivery personnel, who faced hazardous conditions. Social media discussions highlighted the challenges these workers endure during extreme weather events. One Weibo user wrote, "In weather like this, we can choose not to order delivery—it's too hard for them."

Strong winds and sandstorms are not uncommon in northern China, particularly during spring. However, the intensity of this event, with wind speeds approaching or surpassing historical records dating back to 1951, is notable. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in China have been linked to climate change. Studies project that typhoon intensity and precipitation will increase under anthropogenic warming, leading to higher economic losses.

Climate Change and Preparedness

This extreme weather event underscores the need for enhanced preparedness and adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on urban environments. As Beijing and other regions continue to experience such events, it becomes increasingly important to develop resilient infrastructure and comprehensive emergency response plans to protect residents and minimize disruptions.