New Delhi, April 12 -- Northern China is bracing for a weekend of extreme weather as typhoon-strength winds are forecast to sweep across the region, disrupting transportation, shuttering public venues, and forcing the postponement of high-profile events.

A powerful cold vortex moving south from Mongolia is expected to bring gusts reaching 150 km/h (93 mph), according to state-run Xinhua news agency. These winds, laced with sand and dust, are typical in spring but have intensified due to climate change, meteorologists say.

With typhoon-like winds forecast, authorities are urging millions to stay inside-state media even warned that people under 50kg (110lbs) might be at risk of being "blown away."

Beijing has issued its first orange-leve...