Shanghai has experienced 27 consecutive days of high temperatures as of September 1, breaking a century-old record.
On September 1 at 11:20 am, the temperature in Xujiahui, Shanghai rose to 35.1℃, marking another hot day in the city. This prolonged heatwave has been ongoing since August 6.
The previous record of consecutive high temperatures in Shanghai dates back to July 22 to August 14, 1926, lasting for 24 days since meteorological records began in 1873. However, this year, that record has been surpassed. On August 30, Shanghai marked 25 consecutive days of high temperatures; on August 31, it extended to 26 days, breaking the record; and on September 1, Shanghai reached a historic milestone of 27 consecutive days of high temperatures.
Meteorological data shows that the average temperature at the Xujiahui station in August was 31.9℃, tying with 2024 as the hottest August on record, with a total of 27 days of high temperatures (including 26 consecutive days), making it the August with the most hot days. The persistent hot weather also led to significantly reduced precipitation in August. The total rainfall in Shanghai for August this year was 28.6 millimeters, only one-ninth of the normal average.
Moreover, as of September 1, Shanghai has experienced a total of 46 days with high temperatures this year, ranking it fifth in history. The record for the most high-temperature days was set in 1934 with 55 days, followed by 2024 with 52 days, 2022 with 50 days, and 2013 with 47 days.
With the subtropical high-pressure system moving eastward, temperatures in Shanghai are expected to decrease in the coming days. On September 2, the city will experience cloudy to overcast skies with occasional showers or thunderstorms in some areas, with rainfall reaching heavy to torrential levels. The temperature will range from 26℃ to 32℃ throughout the day, marking a temporary relief from the recent heatwave.
According to the information from the China Meteorological Administration, on September 1, Shanghai’s Xujiahui area once again exceeded 35℃, breaking the record for the longest consecutive high temperatures in recorded history, while Hangzhou experienced a 30-day streak of high temperatures, ranking second in history.
Around September 5, cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hefei, Wuhan, and Nanchang will see temperatures soar above 35℃ again. Nanchang may even surpass the record of 59 high-temperature days set in 2022, while Chongqing has already reached 61 high-temperature days this year, the highest among provincial capitals and direct-controlled municipalities, with frequent high temperatures expected to continue this week.