High Temperatures in Southern China: Causes and⁢ Forecasts

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 5

Question: How long​ will the ‍high temperatures in the south continue?

Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Yao

Recently, ⁣hot weather​ has lasted for many days in many places⁤ in ​the⁤ south, with temperatures ⁤above⁣ 35°C or even reaching 40°C in many places. The ​Central‍ Meteorological Observatory continued to issue high temperature ⁢yellow warnings on the ⁤5th.

Data shows that in the past August, the ‌number of ‌high temperature days in Jianghuai, ⁣most of ⁤Jianghan, most of Jiangnan, Chongqing, and​ eastern Sichuan exceeded 15 days. The maximum daily temperatures⁣ at 226 national meteorological stations reached ⁢extreme ⁢threshold⁤ standards, and 18 stations including Yiwu, Zhejiang (42.8℃) broke historical extremes.

Causes of the High Temperatures

Zhang‍ Tao, chief forecaster of‌ the Central Meteorological Observatory, analyzed that the areas​ where high temperatures occur are mainly controlled by the subtropical high pressure. The areas controlled⁤ by the subtropical high pressure are mainly sunny, which is ⁣conducive to continuous solar radiation heating. In ‌addition, the areas controlled by the‍ subtropical ​high pressure are dominated by sinking airflow, sunny and hot with few clouds, which is also conducive to air sinking and warming.

“The Sichuan-Chongqing ⁣region is also not conducive to horizontal heat exchange because it is located in ​the Sichuan Basin. The surrounding⁣ mountains prevent the hot ⁣air in the basin from being discharged,​ causing heat accumulation ⁢and exacerbating the high temperature weather,” ⁣said Zhang Tao.

Characteristics​ of the High ‌Temperature Weather

This round of high temperature⁢ weather ⁢has the characteristics of a‍ large impact range, long duration, and strong⁤ local intensity. Zhang Tao said that as‍ a large-scale, global atmospheric circulation system, the subtropical high pressure dominates the high temperature ⁢weather on a large spatial and ‍temporal scale, so the high‌ temperature covers a wide ⁣range and lasts​ for a long time. In addition, affected by other factors such as⁤ topography ⁣and small-scale weather⁣ systems, ⁣the high temperature weather also has the⁢ characteristics of⁢ strong intensity ‌in some local ‍areas.

Impact on Agriculture and Daily Life

Affected by the continuous ‍high temperature, moderate meteorological⁤ drought is currently occurring in the⁢ central and southern ‍Sichuan Basin, Chongqing, central and ‌western Hubei, ​northern⁢ Hunan, central Anhui, northern Jiangxi, and ‌western Guizhou, ⁤with severe drought occurring in some local areas.

It‌ is forecasted that in the next two weeks, parts of the middle ⁤and upper reaches of⁣ the Yangtze River in my country will still experience⁢ high temperatures above‌ 35°C. The Sichuan Basin, ​Jianghan,⁤ Jiangnan, northern South China and other places will⁢ have 5 to 10 days of high ‍temperatures, and Chongqing and other places will have more​ than 10‌ days of high temperatures. The highest local⁢ temperatures in Sichuan and Chongqing may ⁢reach 40°C to 42°C.

The ⁢Agricultural Meteorological Weekly released by the Central Meteorological Observatory shows​ that high temperature weather⁤ has an adverse effect on the yield‌ of ⁤some crops such as first-season rice and corn, as well as the heading of late rice. It is also likely to cause the‌ quality ⁣of ‌citrus and oil tea to decline. The scope of soil ⁢moisture shortage in farmland‌ may expand, and agricultural drought in some areas will continue ⁢or develop. It is recommended that Jianghan, Jiangnan and Sichuan Basin ‌areas take reasonable⁢ irrigation and water temperature regulation measures ‍to prevent the⁢ adverse effects of high temperature and ‍drought.

Precautions for the Public

Experts remind‌ that the public should take appropriate protective measures in hot weather and try to reduce outdoor activities in the afternoon. Outdoor workers should shorten their continuous⁤ working hours‌ and pay attention to heatstroke prevention and ‍cooling.