Episode Details

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 ent