Catkins coming back as warmer weather returns

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.

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.

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.