This year sandstorms seem to be earlier and nastier. After a rather cold winter and the worst air pollution in years, now we will face the sand during spring.
Interesting is that the pollution readings during windy conditions and sand storm are inverted: suddenly the U.S. embassy looks much better.
The only explanation I have is that Beijing still looks at PM10 while the embassy does not (only PM2.5), with the dust and sand brought by the wind, PM2.5 goes down, PM10 goes up.
See the reading and a view of WTC3 from my home: the haze is dust and sand and not so much pollution.

Anyway, hope it will calm down when heading to my KTV in the evening…