Dust storms swept through northwestern China’s Gansu Province this weekend, turning skies orange 🌅 and triggering a renewed yellow alert for sandstorms. Cities like Jiuquan, Zhangye, Jinchang, and Wuwei were engulfed by thick haze, with visibility dropping sharply as winds carried clouds of sand across the region.
China’s weather warning system uses a three-tier color code for sandstorms—orange (most severe), yellow, and blue. While this alert isn’t the highest level, authorities urged residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. The G30 Lianhuo Expressway saw temporary traffic controls 🚧 early Saturday, though restrictions were lifted by 1 p.m.
Local officials reported 'sandy and dusty' conditions in parts of Jiuquan and Zhangye, with cloudy skies elsewhere. The sudden weather shift felt like a scene from a sci-fi flick 🎥, one resident joked, as daily life slowed under nature’s gritty curtain.
Sandstorms are common in spring due to dry weather and strong winds in northern China. But this event serves as a stark reminder of climate challenges—and the need to stay weather-aware! 🌬️
