China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a yellow fog alert on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, warning residents and travelers of reduced visibility across northern and central regions. Thick fog is expected to persist through Thursday morning, impacting key economic hubs including Beijing, Tianjin, and Chongqing.
Affected Areas
The alert covers Hebei province encircling Beijing, the Yangtze River Delta's Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, and southwestern industrial centers like Chongqing and the Sichuan Basin. Visibility may drop below 200 meters in parts of Hebei, Henan, and Chongqing, according to NMC forecasts.
Transportation Precautions
Authorities have urged drivers to reduce speeds and maintain safe distances, while airports and ports have activated contingency plans. The fog comes during peak holiday travel season, raising concerns about supply chain delays in one of Asia's busiest logistics corridors.
Three-Tier Warning System
China's color-coded weather alerts classify yellow as the least severe tier, with orange and red representing escalating danger levels. Meteorologists attribute the persistent fog to temperature inversions following recent cold snaps across northern China.
