Collapsed structure on vehicle in China on Saturday, April 12, 2025 Image credit: Photo: Weibo/飞蟹子

Severe sandstorms move across northern China, breaking wind records at 499 stations and prompting rare public advisories

Chinese authorities warned citizens weighing less than 50 kg (110 lb) to stay indoors as a large-scale low-pressure system moving in from Mongolia brought record-breaking winds exceeding 150 km/h (93 mph) to parts of northern China. Over 499 weather stations broke April wind records as the system moved southeast through the weekend, causing widespread damage and placing millions under severe weather alerts.

Snowstorm in Shandong on March 2, 2025

Shandong experiences strongest March snowstorm since 1971, China

East China’s Shandong province experienced its heaviest March snowstorm since 1971 from March 1 to 3, 2025, with snow accumulation reaching up to 20 cm (7.9 inches), causing widespread disruptions to daily life and transportation. Events like this are rare for early March in Shandong’s temperate monsoon climate, where cold, dry winters usually limit snowfall to lighter amounts between December and February, especially in milder coastal areas influenced by the Yellow Sea.

giant hail zhangpu fujian china march 3 2025

Intense hailstorm with giant hail hits Fujian, China

A severe hailstorm battered Zhangpu, Fujian Province, on March 2–3, 2025, unleashing hailstones reportedly as large as 14 cm (5.5 inches) in diameter. If confirmed by the China Meteorological Administration, this could rank among the largest hailstones ever recorded in China.