ULAN BATOR, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring on Thursday issued warnings of blizzards and dust storms expected to reduce visibility across parts of the country.
As of Thursday afternoon, blizzards were affecting five provinces, including Khuvsgul in the north and Govi-Altai and Zavkhan in the west.
Meanwhile, dust storms were sweeping across around 10 provinces, including those in the eastern and southern Gobi regions, with wind speeds reaching up to 27 meters per second, according to the agency.
Unstable weather conditions are expected to persist in the coming days, the agency said, urging the public, particularly nomadic herders and drivers, to take extra precautions against potential hazards.
More than 20 percent of the country's territory is currently covered in snow, the agency said.
Mongolia has a harsh continental climate, with strong winds, dust storms and snowstorms common throughout the year. ■