These Before and After Photos of Beijing's Sandstorm Will Shock You

A massive sandstorm swept over northern China yesterday, causing Beijing's AQI to jump to 905.

Photos from the storm showed the capital enveloped in a blanket of nasty (and hazardous) dust and smog.

A That's reader sent along photos from before and after the storm, and the differences are striking.

Take a look at the cityscape before:

... and after:

Yup, that is the exact same view.

Like catkins, sandstorms are a common occurrence in Beijing (and northern China) during spring. Winds hurl across the Gobi Desert, carrying sand and dust particles with them to far-flung cities like Beijing.  

While yesterday's storm has mostly subsided, it's expected to hit our friends down south in Shanghai later this evening.