Northern China experienced four sandstorms or severe sandstorms in spring 2021, contrasting with just one event in the corresponding period of 2022. Utilizing air quality and multi-source meteorological data spanning 2015 to 2022, we applied the Lamb Jenkinson classification and Mann-Whitney U test methods to analyze similarities and differences in the sand source areas' conditions and meteorological factors during the spring of 2021 and 2022. Our findings reveal that the sand and dust weather (SDW) in northern China is frequently categorized into NW-N (cyclone type) and E-NE (high-pressure type), with the NW-N type leading to higher PM₁₀ extreme values and a broader range of high concentrations. In terms of meteorological factors, synoptic conditions favorable for SDW in spring 2022 occur more frequently, with the differences in daily PM₁₀ concentration predominantly associated with the NW-N type when compared to spring 2021. The frequency of NW-N type events and cyclone intensity remains comparable between the two periods, along with similar dynamic uplift conditions conducive to SDW are similar. Regarding sand source area conditions, the soil temperature in Mongolia's sand source area displayed a “cold before and warm after” pattern in the pre-winter of 2021, resulting in an early peak of snowmelt and other water content. In addition, a widespread decrease in precipitation and a relatively strong cyclone in Mongolia's sand source area in March contributed to the high incidence of sand and dust in spring 2021. Conversely, during the pre-winter of 2022, the soil temperature in Mongolia's sand source area followed a “warm before and cold after” trend, leading to a delayed peak of water content and soil moisture content during the snowmelt period. These conditions, characterized by thicker and moisture soil, were less conducive to sand formation. Therefore, the disparities in Mongolian sand source area conditions represent the primary factor behind the significant differences in SDW between the two periods.