Buildings are shrouded in dust in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2021. Beijing was enveloped in yellow dust on Monday morning with visibility at less than 1 km, as the city's meteorological department issued a yellow warning for sandstorms, the third-most hazardous level. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- North China on Monday saw its biggest sandstorm in a decade, but data collected since 1961 points to a visible trend of less-sandy springs in the area.
The annual number of dusty and sandstorm-impacted spring days in north China has dropped significantly since 1961, according to the National Climate Center (NCC) under the China Meteorological Administration.
The following graphics compiled by China Meteorological News show the downward trend:
The annual number of sandy spring days in north China from 1961 to 2020 (March-May period) can be seen in this graphic from China Meteorological News based on NCC data.
The annual number of sandstorm-impacted days in north China during spring from 1961 to 2020 (March-May period) can be seen in this graphic from China Meteorological News based on NCC data.■
