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Why do dust storms commonly occur in Beijing during spring?

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Map of eastern Asia highlighting China and its neighboring countries, with an arrow pointing to Beijing Municipality in northeastern China. The map includes international boundaries, disputed borders, and lines of control, and shows major surrounding countries such as Russia, Mongolia, India, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. An inset at the bottom left shows the location of China within Asia. — Beijing Beijing city and municipality, China.

Dust storms in Beijing are a common occurrence during the spring, particularly in April and May, due to a combination of meteorological and environmental factors.

The region experiences its windiest conditions during the spring season. These high-velocity winds are often associated with the prevailing northwesterly air circulation that dominates the area. As these strong winds pass over the Mongolian Plateau and through Inner Mongolia, they pick up loose soil and sand.12

The frequency and intensity of these storms are further exacerbated by increasing desertification in Inner Mongolia, which provides a greater supply of dust to be transported into the city by the seasonal winds. Additionally, the high evaporation rates during the spring, which significantly exceed the period's total precipitation, contribute to the dry conditions that facilitate the movement of dust.1