China’s intense heatwave is set to continue into next week, with nearly 10 provincial-level regions bracing for extreme temperatures exceeding 40°C, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) announced on Sunday. Particularly hard-hit areas include Henan in central China and Shandong in the east, where this year’s heat is unusually severe for the season. Over 15 provinces are expected to be affected.
Since Saturday, scorching heat has been recorded across northern Inner Mongolia, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, northern Henan, central and northern Shandong, and parts of Chongqing in southwestern China. Some regions saw temperatures surpass 37°C, according to meteorological data.
On Sunday, the heatwave intensified and expanded southward. The NMC forecasts high temperatures across western Inner Mongolia, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Henan, Shandong, northern Anhui, northern Jiangsu, central Hubei, Chongqing, and eastern Sichuan.
Notably, central and southern Hebei, most of Tianjin, western Shandong, central and northern Henan, northern Anhui, northern and western Hubei, and northeastern Chongqing could experience temperatures between 37°C and 39°C. Some areas in western Shandong and northeastern Henan may even exceed 40°C.
The NMC warns that the extreme heat will likely worsen in the coming days.
Unusual Weather Pattern Fuels the Heat
Unlike previous years, this year’s subtropical high-pressure system has shifted abnormally northward, resulting in record-breaking heat and humidity in northern China, explained Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, in an interview with the Global Times.
Ma noted that the high-pressure system has strengthened earlier and more intensely than usual, driving both high temperatures and moisture. As it dominates central and eastern China, it is also pushing the summer monsoon northward, increasing humidity in northern regions.
Government Measures to Combat the Heat
In response to the heatwave, local authorities have rolled out various relief measures to protect outdoor workers and maintain public stability.
- Shandong: Last week, the provincial meteorological department issued an orange heat alert, warning of temperatures above 37°C from Friday to Monday, with some areas hitting 40°C. In Lanling County, rest stations have been set up for outdoor workers and the public.
- Liaoning: Over 1,000 weather stations reported temperatures between 33°C and 35°C. In Shenyang, parks have increased watering schedules to protect vegetation.
- Gansu: Popular tourist spots like Jiayu Pass and Jiuquan have seen temperatures rise to 36°C. With peak tourism season approaching, local governments are taking steps to ease the heat’s impact, including opening all ticket gates, deploying more volunteers, and using cooling mist systems at Jiayu Pass.
- Hubei: Wuhan has endured seven consecutive days of high-temperature warnings, with temperatures exceeding 41°C. The Wuhan Railway Station has activated an 800-meter misting system to cool waiting passengers, while over 5,000 rest stations have been opened statewide for outdoor workers.
The prolonged heatwave poses significant challenges, but authorities are working to mitigate its effects on public health and daily life.
