Dusty weather and sandstorms continued in northern China on Sunday, downing visibility and fouling the spring air.

Hebei Province, encircling Beijing, experienced its first dusty weather this year, which brought strong winds and whipped-up dusts, experts with the provincial meteorological observatory said on Sunday.

Meteorologists say several cities in the province, including capital Shijiazhuang were "slightly polluted", and visibility was poor.

The dusty weather occurred after the province suffered an exceptional drought last year, which halved precipitation in many places and left earth arid and prone to becoming floating dust.

According to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) forecast on Saturday, sandstorms would hit parts of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and northern Shaanxi Province in the next two days.

Minqin county, one of the major sources of sandstorms in the northwestern province of Gansu, suffered a strong sandstorm on Friday.

Meteorologists advised the public to wear face masks to ward off dust. Precision equipments shall be properly sealed from being affected by the dusts. Drivers shall control vehicle speed due to poor visibility. Airport, expressways, ferry crossings and ports authorities are advised to take measures and ensure traffic safety.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2008)