In the scorching summer, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai regions have once again become the focus of national attention. However, this time it was not the bustling cityscape or the mouth-watering cuisine that attracted attention, but an extremely hot weather that swept the entire region.
At the beginning of August, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai seemed to have been pressed the switch of "barbecue mode". On August 1, the temperature at Shanghai's Xujiahui station soared to 40.0°C for the first time since 2022.
Then, on August 2, Hangzhou and Shanghai staged a "high temperature showdown" again, and the temperature once again exceeded the 40 °C mark. However, what is truly jaw-dropping is that the highest surface temperature in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, reached a staggering 72.3°C, breaking the highest record in the history of local observations. What's even more incredible is that the ground temperature in Linantia is as high as 73.8°C, which is enough to fry an egg!
In the face of such high temperatures, many people may wonder: how long will this last? The answer from a meteorological expert may leave you frustrated: expect 10 days or more of hot weather in northern Zhejiang, Shanghai, and southern Jiangsu until mid-August. Hangzhou is even more likely to experience extreme heat of 40°C from August 2.
What's even more unbearable is that the heat is not just a daytime thing. Parts of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi may have nighttime minimum temperatures of more than 30°C, which means that people will face all-weather heat torture. Imagine that even at night, you can't escape the sultry heat, a feeling that only those who have experienced it can experience.
The scope and depth of the impact of hot weather is staggering. From Hefei to Wuhan, from Nanjing to Shanghai, to Hangzhou, Nanchang, Changsha, Chongqing and Fuzhou, these cities are likely to face temperatures above 35°C every day in the coming week. It's not just a change in numbers, it's a real impact on the daily lives of millions of people.
In the face of such severe hot weather, we can't help but ask: why is this happening? Meteorologists explain that this is mainly the result of the combined action of the subtropical high and the hot and dry air masses of the continent. Previously, the development of the subtropical high was inhibited to a certain extent, but with the dissipation of the typhoon circulation, the subtropical high began to steadily control the area of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai and gradually strengthened.
So, when will this situation end? For now, hope seems far away. The Central Meteorological Observatory said that the high temperature weather in the southern region is still fermenting, and the high temperature weather in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and southern Jiangsu and Anhui even shows a certain degree of extremity. It is conservatively estimated that the heat warning may last for more than 10 days.
However, meteorologists also mention a factor that could bring about a turnaround. There is currently a cold vortex in southeastern Japan that is injecting cold air and inspiring a large number of tropical clouds. Typhoon embryos may appear in these clouds, which may be the key to defeating the subtropical high and ending the high temperature in the future.
In the face of such severe hot weather, each of us should be vigilant. High temperatures not only increase the risk of heat stroke, but can also affect transportation. For example, fewer people may travel during hot periods, and highway pavements may also face safety risks. Therefore, in this special period, we should pay more attention to heat prevention and cooling, and arrange travel time reasonably.