Beijing Swelters in Near-Record Heat as Officials Advise Indoor Stay

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Record-breaking temperatures are scorching Beijing and parts of northern China, prompting authorities to advise people to minimize outdoor activities.

According to the China Meteorological Administration, the Nanjiao observatory in southern Beijing registered temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the third consecutive day, marking an unprecedented occurrence.

Neighboring Hebei province and the port city of Tianjin have also witnessed temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in recent days, leading authorities to issue “red” alerts for extreme weather conditions.

In China’s four-tier weather alert system, red denotes the most severe circumstances.

Last Thursday, Beijing encountered its second-hottest day on record, with temperatures soaring to 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit). Notably, this marked the highest temperature ever recorded in China’s capital during the month of June.

Beijing’s all-time high of 41.9 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) since the advent of modern records occurred on July 24, 1999.

Chinese meteorologists attribute the ongoing heatwave to warm air masses associated with high-pressure ridges in the atmosphere, compounded by scant cloud cover and long daylight hours around the summer solstice.

Recent weeks have witnessed deadly heatwaves in various Asian countries, which scientists attribute in part to escalating global temperatures resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels.

In China, this heatwave coincides with the three-day Dragon Boat Festival, a public holiday dedicated to consuming rice dumplings and participating in boat races propelled by teams of paddlers.

Beijing’s weather authorities urge residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exercise and take precautions to shield themselves from the sun.

Temperatures in the capital are projected to decrease to approximately 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday before rising once again later in the upcoming week.

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