As of 5 am Monday, Beijing and Baoding in Hebei province recorded hourly average concentration of PM 2.5 above 150 microgram per cubic meter, which classifies as heavy pollution. The hourly PM 2.5 density in the capital peaked at 153 mg/cu m on Monday morning and the heavy pollution continued for three hours from 1 am to 3 am, said the statement.

Beijing environmental authorities said most parts of the capital saw heavy air pollution at 12 pm. The PM 2.5 density in its urban area reached 205 mg/cu m at the time.

According to the forecast of the national environmental monitoring authority, the cold air will alleviate the pollution situation from Monday noon to the evening. Thanks to the cold air, most parts of the region will experience light air pollution or better air quality on Tuesday.

The meteorological condition, however, will turn unfavorable again from Wednesday to Thursday, resulting in light and moderate air pollution in central and southern parts of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.