Beijing witnesses flowing sand and dust on April 16, 2020. (Photo: National Meteorological Center)

The National Meteorological Center issued a blue alert for a dust storm — the lowest level of its ratings — in most northern areas in China on Thursday, warning the region will be dusty through the next week.

The center forecast sandstorms will hit the southern basin parts of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region starting Friday.

Western parts of Gansu, central and western parts of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, northern parts of Shaanxi, central and northern parts of Shanxi, central and southern parts of Hebei, and northern parts of Henan province will be blanketed by flowing sand or floating dust.

Due to strong winds, the dust is expected to affect Beijing, causing its PM10 —  particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns- to rise significantly, the center said.

According to the center, on Saturday North China and areas along the Yellow River and Huaihe River will have winds with the speed of 28 kilometers per hour and above. The Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea will have winds with a top speed of 88 kilometers per hour, and some areas will be hit by thunderstorms.

The wind and sandstorm will last through the next week, and the center warned passengers should be aware of objects falling from high buildings and protect themselves from dust by wearing face masks.

On Saturday, moderate to heavy rains will hit South China, while cold air and Mongolian cyclones will lead to strong winds and a temperature drop between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius in North China.

The center warned people in northern areas should pay attention to drought conditions and the potential risk of forest and grassland fires.

Local authorities in Xinjiang should especially prepare for geological disasters, such as mountain torrents caused by the rain and the temperature drop.