The Chinese capital is preparing for its first significant snowfall of the season as meteorological authorities issued dual weather warnings on Thursday. The Beijing Meteorological Bureau has activated a blue alert for snowstorms—the lowest level in China’s four-tier warning system—alongside a more severe orange alert for road icing, the second-highest alert level.
According to forecasts from the National Meteorological Center, the winter precipitation is expected to commence in Beijing’s western mountainous regions during the early hours of Friday, gradually advancing toward urban districts by midday. The snowfall is projected to persist throughout the afternoon and the first half of the night, creating potentially hazardous conditions across the metropolitan area.
Meteorological data indicates that most areas within Beijing municipality will experience accumulations exceeding 4 millimeters, with localized mountainous regions in Fangshan and Mentougou districts potentially receiving up to 8 millimeters of snowfall. The combination of precipitation and rapidly dropping temperatures presents particular concerns for transportation infrastructure as surface temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing.
Authorities have warned that road icing conditions will likely develop from Friday midday through Saturday, significantly impacting traffic mobility and road safety. In response to the impending weather event, government agencies and relevant departments have been urged to implement comprehensive preparedness measures for both snowstorm management and frost damage mitigation.
Critical infrastructure sectors including transportation networks, power grid operations, and communication systems have been advised to conduct thorough inspections and preventive maintenance on roads, railways, and electrical lines. The Beijing Emergency Management Bureau has simultaneously issued public safety recommendations, advising residents to exercise extreme caution while walking outdoors and to prioritize public transportation whenever possible.
Motorists have been specifically cautioned to navigate roadways with increased vigilance and to equip their vehicles with appropriate anti-skid devices to enhance traction on potentially icy surfaces. The coordinated response effort reflects the city’s comprehensive approach to managing severe winter weather events while minimizing disruption to daily life and economic activities.