Beijing issued its first blue alert for sandstorms of the year on Friday, warning that dusty weather would move across the city from west to east between evening and night on Friday, Beijing News reported.

The alert came as the national meteorological authority also issued blue warnings for strong winds and sandstorms across large parts of northern China, triggered by a powerful cold air system. Authorities said high winds were expected to continue into Saturday, bringing blowing sand and sharply colder conditions to several regions.

Xin Xin, a meteorological analyst at ?China Weather Network, said on his Weibo account that the dust affecting Beijing originated in parts of Inner Mongolia, where strong winds earlier on Friday lifted sand into the atmosphere before carrying it southeastwards. Air quality levels in some cities in Inner Mongolia rose to severe pollution levels, raising concerns that Beijing could see a temporary spike in PM10 concentrations overnight.

The Beijing Meteorological Service said the city would see cloudy to clear skies on Friday night, with blowing sand in some areas and strong northerly winds. On Saturday, windy conditions are forecast to persist, with continued cooling and the risk of residual dust in parts of the capital, it reported.