北京发布重污染橙色预警

Dense smog continues to linger in northern China. Six municipalities and provinces are on orange alert, the 2nd highest of the country's four-colour warning system for pollution. Beijing, Tianjin, and parts of Hebei province are seeing the worst of the smog.

Visibility in northern Beijing and southern Hebei province has dropped to less than 200 meters. On Tuesday, Beijing municipal authority went one step further and issued the highest red alert for the first time, setting in motion a series of emergency response measures.

Schools were suspended Tuesday, and half of the capital's private cars ordered off the roads. Even with the alert downgraded to orange, the measures will stay in place for 3 days.

The PM 2.5 reading, which is the harmful microscopic particles that penetrate into the lungs, was as high as above 300 micrograms per cubic meter on Tuesday.

A coldfront is due to arrive Thursday, but will have a limited impact on the heavy smog.