The warm winter in Beijing has caused concerns that sandstorms will possibly land in the city in spring.

Beijing, located south of the Inner Mongolia grassland, has been frequently hit by sandstorms over the past few years. Beijing Vice-Mayor Ji Lin said on Tuesday in Beijing that the lack of rain and snow in winter is an important factor in causing sandstorms.

In response, the head of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, Shi Hanmin, has vowed to launch emergency plans to cope with sandstorms. The plans include launching weather forecasts to remind the public of pollution and strengthening management of pollutant-releasing industries.

To provide a good environment for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Beijing will hold a no car day in September. Citizens in Beijing are called on to ride bikes, take buses or cabs and walk instead of driving their cars on that day. 

从照片中可以看到，在北京市天安门广场的女士们纷纷带上口罩来抵御沙尘暴。北京官员们担心，暖冬加上缺少雨雪的天气将会在即将到来的春季里加重沙尘暴给人们带来的影响。

北京市的暖冬已经引起了沙尘暴即将在春日里来袭的忧虑。 北京地处内蒙古草原的南部，已经连年受到沙尘暴的侵袭。周二，副市长吉林说，冬季雨雪天气的缺乏是导致沙尘暴的主要原因。 北京市环保局局长史捍民做出反应。他誓在启动应付沙尘暴的紧急计划，计划包括：在进行天气预报时，提醒公众注意环境污染以及加强治理排放污染的工厂。 为了给2008年奥运会营造一个良好的环境，北京市将在9月举行“无车日”的活动。当天，北京市市民可以通过自行车、公交车、出租车或者步行来代替自驾车出行。