Beijing, the capital city of China, faced scorching temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104F) for an unprecedented third day. On Saturday, the mercury rose above 40C briefly, marking the highest temperature recorded by the city’s benchmark weather station in its southern suburbs. This relentless heatwave surpassed a historical milestone, as the city had never experienced three consecutive days above 40C since the establishment of the southern observatory in 1951.
The extreme heat extended beyond Beijing, affecting neighboring regions such as Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Inner Mongolia, and Tianjin. These areas either raised or maintained their “red” hot weather alerts, the highest level in China’s warning system, indicating that temperatures could exceed 40C within 24 hours. An extensive area covering 450,000 square kilometers (174,000 square miles) had already recorded temperatures above 37C. The implications of such heatwaves on China’s food supply and prices are concerning, especially considering the impact on crop yields and livestock.
State media reported ground surface temperatures exceeding 70C in parts of Shandong province, one of China’s most populous regions and a significant grain producer. These heatwaves, which represent the second round in about 10 days, are a result of warm air masses associated with high-pressure ridges in the atmosphere. Thin cloud cover and the long daylight hours around the summer solstice have amplified their effects, as explained by Chinese meteorologists.
The frequency of extremely hot days in Beijing has been on the rise. Official data cited by the Beijing Daily revealed that between 1990 and 2020, the average number of days with temperatures exceeding 35C was 10.6. However, this year has already witnessed the city surpassing 35C for the 11th time, even before the end of June. The previous day recorded a scorching temperature of 40.3C, while Thursday reached 41.1C, the second-hottest day ever recorded in Beijing. The historical record stands at 41.9C, registered on July 24, 1999.
The heatwaves in northern China are expected to temporarily subside by Monday, only to regain strength later in the week, continuing to pose challenges for the affected regions.
