The Chinese capital was blanketed by floating dust from Friday night on. This year's first sandstorm should be cleared up in the city till Saturday night, says the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

The floating dust was brought in by a cyclone developed in Mongolia, which moved eastward through Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Hebei Province into the city, Sun Jun, a CMA senior engineer said.

The main body of the cyclone is expected to reach Beijing around Saturday noon, but the strong wind should help drive the floating dust away, according to Sun.

Floating dust is the mildest form of sandstorms, and Beijing would not be much affected. Yet, people were still advised to take precautions such as wearing a scarf when they go outside, and less outdoor activities.
 
According to the CMA forecast, sandstorms will hit most parts of northern China in the next three days.

Sandstorms are expected in parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Gansu Province and Shaanxi Province in northwest China, and some central north and northeast areas.

The sand would be carried by strong winds that began on Friday, said the CMA forecast.

Temperatures will drop by four to eight degrees Celsius in most parts of northern China and by up to 12 degrees in some areas.

Eleven to 15 sandstorms are expected in northern and northwestern China this spring, according to a previous CMA forecast.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2007)