In recent days, China has been experiencing extreme weather conditions with record-breaking high temperatures in the northern region and heavy rain causing floods in the southern region. Temperatures in multiple northern provinces such as Hebei, Shandong, and Xinjiang have soared to as high as 43.3°C, while in the south, flood alerts have been issued for small and medium-sized rivers in six provinces.
On June 10th, the northern regions continued to suffer from widespread high temperatures. According to CCTV, certain areas in central Hebei, northwest Shandong, and Turpan, Xinjiang recorded temperatures ranging from 40°C to 43.3°C. A total of 27 national meteorological observation stations in Shandong, Hebei, Tianjin, and Jiangsu saw their daily maximum temperatures breaking records for early June.
The China Meteorological Administration has forecasted that from the 11th to the 20th of June, the northern regions of China will continue to experience soaring temperatures. Areas in Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shandong, among others, may see their daily maximum temperatures reach or surpass historical highs for this time of year. In Puyang, Henan, temperatures may reach 42°C on the 12th and 13th, potentially breaking local records for June. Cities like Jinan in Shandong, Zhengzhou, Jiaozuo, Xinxiang in Henan, and Shijiazhuang in Hebei may experience temperatures above 40°C for two to three consecutive days.
Starting from the 11th, intense heatwaves are forecasted to strengthen in North China and the Huang-Huai regions, with temperatures exceeding 40°C becoming more widespread, especially in the southern parts of Hebei. On the 11th, daytime temperatures of 35°C or higher are expected in various regions including Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Henan, and parts of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.
From the 11th to the 14th, parts of Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Turpan in Xinjiang could see temperatures ranging from 39°C to 42°C. A temporary relief from the heat is predicted from the 15th to the 16th as a cold air spell moves through, only to be followed by another heatwave hitting from the 17th to the end of June, with temperatures possibly exceeding 40°C in certain areas.
The Tianjin Jizhou District Meteorological Bureau, Binhai New Area Meteorological Bureau, and Xiqing District Meteorological Bureau upgraded their heatwave warnings to red on the 11th, indicating that temperatures in some areas could reach or exceed 40°C.
The Shanxi Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat warning on the 11th for the next 24 hours, forecasting temperatures above 37°C in parts of Xinzhou, Lvliang, Taiyuan, Jinzhong, Yangquan, Linfen, Yuncheng, Changzhi, and Jincheng.
Furthermore, the Observatory also issued a blue alert for thunderstorms and strong winds, with wind gusts expected to exceed force 7 and accompanied by intense lightning strikes. In Yangquan City in Shanxi, during a temple fair in Guanshan Town, 1 person died and 8 were injured due to strong convective gusts and the collapse of a temporary sunshade structure.
While the north is facing scorching temperatures, heavy rainfall continues to plague the south. The China Meteorological Administration predicts that the middle of June will bring persistent rainy weather to regions such as Jiangnan, Huazhong, and southwestern China. From the 11th to the 19th of June, three rounds of rainfall are expected, with precipitation levels being 30% to 70% above normal for this time of year, and in some areas, exceeding 100% of usual levels. Particularly on the 13th to 15th, heavy rainfall is anticipated in southern Jiangnan, Huazhong, and southwestern regions.
The Ministry of Water Resources of China has issued flood alerts from the 11th to the 15th for regions in Jiangnan, Huazhong, and southern southwestern China, warning of significant increases in water levels in various rivers, with some small to medium-sized rivers expected to exceed flood warning levels.
The Sichuan Provincial Water Resources Department reported on the 11th that from 8:00 on the 10th to 8:00 on the 11th, multiple mudslides occurred in Hakou Town of Yajiang County in Garze Prefecture, Sichuan, leading to 2 missing persons. A total of 912 people from two prefectures (510 from Liangshan and 402 from Garze) have been relocated.
The report also mentioned that in the next 24 hours, there could be noticeable rises in water levels in some small and medium-sized rivers in areas like Liangshan and Panzhihua.
These extreme weather conditions are wreaking havoc across China, proving to be a significant challenge for both residents and local authorities as they try to cope with the impact of the severe heatwaves in the north and the heavy rain and floods in the south.