Meteorological Experts Warn of Heat Wave in North China

Meteorological authorities have issued a warning about an upcoming heat wave that is set to sweep through North China in the coming days. According to Yang Shunan, the chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, several provinces and municipalities, including Henan, Hebei, Anhui, Shandong, Beijing, Tianjin, and Inner Mongolia, are expected to experience exceptionally high temperatures starting from Saturday. The heatwave is expected to intensify as the weekend progresses, with peak temperatures anticipated between Monday and Thursday, potentially breaking historical records for this time of year in some areas.

The primary cause of this heatwave, as explained by Yang, is a continental high-pressure ridge that will particularly impact regions like Hebei, Henan, and Shandong, where temperatures could soar above 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, Zheng Zhihai, the chief forecaster at the National Climate Center, highlighted that China has already witnessed its warmest spring and May since 1961, with temperatures in certain parts of the country being significantly higher than normal. Zheng attributed the global heatwave to unusual high-pressure circulation patterns resulting from global warming, which is expected to lead to an increase in high-temperature days throughout the summer season. Despite the potential influence of La Nina, a cooling weather pattern in the equatorial Pacific, Zheng mentioned that its effects are likely to be minimal on China's current heatwave, as it is anticipated to develop later in the summer.