Beijing and parts of northern China are experiencing record temperatures, with authorities urging people to limit their time outdoors.
The Nanjiao observatory in southern Beijing on Saturday for the first time recorded temperatures above 40°C for a third consecutive day, the China Meteorological Administration said.
In nearby Hebei Province and the port city of Tianjin, temperatures also soared above 40°C over the past few days, prompting authorities to issue “red” alerts for extreme weather.
Photo: AFP
In China’s four-tier weather alert system, red indicates the most severe conditions with potential health and safety hazards.
Other countries in Asia have experienced deadly heat waves in the past few weeks.
Beijing experienced its second-hottest day on record on Thursday, when temperatures soared to 41.1°C. It was also the highest temperature ever recorded in China’s capital during the month of June.
The city experienced its all-time recorded high of 41.9°C on July 24, 1999.
The current heat wave was caused by warm air masses associated with high-pressure ridges in the atmosphere, compounded by thin cloud covers and long daylight hours around the summer solstice, Chinese meteorologists said.
Temperatures in the capital are expected to drop to about 34°C today before rising again later next week.
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