As temperatures climb across northern China, willow and poplar catkins are expected to fill the air, raising seasonal concerns during the Qingming Festival holiday this week, weather officials said on Tuesday.气象部门周二表示，随着华北地区气温回升，预计本周清明节期间杨柳花絮将飘散，引发季节性关注。Huang Zhuo, deputy director of the National Meteorological Center, said the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei province region, as well as Shandong province and Shaanxi province, will enter peak shedding periods for white poplar and weeping willow catkins in early April, affecting public health and daily activities.国家气象中...
As temperatures climb across northern China, willow and poplar catkins are expected to fill the air, raising seasonal concerns during the Qingming Festival holiday this week, weather officials said on Tuesday.
气象部门周二表示，随着华北地区气温回升，预计本周清明节期间杨柳花絮将飘散，引发季节性关注。
Huang Zhuo, deputy director of the National Meteorological Center, said the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei province region, as well as Shandong province and Shaanxi province, will enter peak shedding periods for white poplar and weeping willow catkins in early April, affecting public health and daily activities.
国家气象中心副主任黄卓表示，京津冀地区以及山东、陕西省将在4月初进入白杨和垂柳花絮飘散高峰期，对公众健康和日常活动产生影响。
Catkin season typically runs from late March to early May, with weather playing a crucial role in their release. Rising temperatures, strong sunlight and dry air accelerate the maturation and dispersal of catkins, Huang said.
杨柳絮季节通常从3月下旬持续到5月上旬，天气对柳絮的飘散起着至关重要的作用。黄卓表示，气温升高、强烈的阳光和干燥的空气会加速柳絮的成熟和飘散。
"When daily average temperatures exceed 15 C for at least three consecutive days and sunlight lasts more than six hours, female poplar and willow trees release large amounts of catkins," he said. Dry conditions, with humidity below 70 percent, and light winds also contribute to their spread.
“当连续三天日平均气温超过15摄氏度，日照时间超过6小时时，雌性杨柳树会飘散大量柳絮，”他说。湿度低于70%的干燥条件和微风也会助长柳絮的飘散。
Authorities advised residents to take precautions when outdoors.
专家建议居民外出时采取预防措施。
"People should wear masks and protective eyewear, choose clothing that does not easily attract catkins, and avoid outdoor exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, when dispersal is at its peak," Huang said.
“人们应该戴口罩和护目镜，选择不容易粘附柳絮的衣服，并且尽量避免在上午10点至下午4点这段飘絮最严重的时段外出。”黄卓说。
He also recommended residents keep windows closed, install air filters and either use a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth to remove catkins that enter homes. Drivers should keep car windows shut and use air conditioning while traveling.
他还建议居民关上窗户，安装空气过滤器，使用吸尘器或湿布清除进入家中的柳絮。司机在行驶时应关上车窗并使用空调。
Catkin season comes as northern China is experiencing dust storms, further complicating air quality.
柳絮季节到来之际，中国北方地区还面临沙尘暴的情况，进一步影响空气质量。
Jia Xiaolong, deputy head of the National Climate Center, said China experienced four major dust storms in March.
国家气候中心副主任贾小龙表示，中国在3月份经历了四次大范围沙尘暴。
"Five to six more events are expected in April, with slightly above-average intensity," Jia said, adding that the risk remains high in Northeast and North China.
“预计4月份还会有五到六次沙尘暴，强度略高于平均水平，”贾小龙补充说，东北和华北地区的风险仍然很高。
Meteorologists are advising farmers nationwide to prepare for regional weather risks this month, paying close attention to waterlogging and other threats that could affect spring plowing and crop growth.
气象学家建议全国农民为本月的区域性天气风险做好准备，密切关注可能影响春耕和农作物生长的涝灾和其他威胁。
willow and poplar catkins
杨柳花絮
dispersal
n.飘散
consecutive
adj.连续的
vacuum cleaner
吸尘器
dust storm
沙尘暴
meteorologist
n.气象学家
waterlogging
n.涝灾
