The wind, which measured force 5 to 7 and was caused by cold currents from northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, will pass through the city soon.

However, Chen Dagang, an expert with the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, said in a telephone interview that "it's a normal phenomenon in Beijing to have wind at this time of year."

He warned there might still be a few bouts of strong wind later this month as the weather changes in northern China.

He said the winds will become incredibly scarce in June, once summer has set in.

Temperatures remained at a high level of 28 C yesterday and Chen suggested the heat could increase in the next few days.

Temperature may hover at about 30 C this weekend and will likely rise later, he said.

(China Daily 05/16/2001)