Harbin, the capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang Province, was affected by Mongolian sandstorms on Monday following heavy snowfall over the weekend.

Beginning Sunday night and into Monday morning, snow mixed with fine sand fell from the sky.

Despite the well-lit streets downtown, vehicles inched their way in the low visibility over the slippery roads.

The sand is believed to be the result of the severe sandstorm currently sweeping Mongolia and the eastern part of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

According to local meteorologists, while sandstorms have struck Harbin several times during the past two springs, this is the first time that they have struck in the winter.

The sand also affected Changchun, the capital of northeast China's Jilin Province on Monday.

Eight flights out of Changchun's airport were delayed due to poor visibility.

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2002)