Strong winds have blown across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region since Friday morning, disrupting air traffic in the capital city of Urumqi.

A total of 42 flights at the International Airport of Urumqi have been delayed, cancelled or alternated. Of the affected flights, 20 inbound flights were alternated, 20 departing flights were delayed and two flights were cancelled, according to the airport's command center.

An orange wind alert was issued by the regional meteorological center, with winds of at least 80 km per hour forecast for the suburbs of Urumqi. Downtown Urumqi has been hit by winds blowing at 60 km per hour since 4 a.m. Friday.

Chinese meteorological authorities use a four-tier wind alert system. Orange is the second-highest level, second only to red and followed by yellow and blue.

High winds at the airport weakened Friday afternoon and normal operations are starting to resume. There have been no reports of railway traffic disruptions in the city.