TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Beijing and parts of northern China are experiencing record temperatures and authorities are urging people to limit their time outdoors.
The Nanjiao Observatory in southern Beijing recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius for the first time for a third straight day on Saturday, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
In nearby Hebei Province and the port city of Tianjin, temperatures have also soared to over 40C in recent days, prompting authorities to issue “red” alerts during extreme weather conditions.
In China’s four-tier weather alert system, red color indicates the worst conditions.
On Thursday, Beijing experienced its second warmest day on record – temperatures rose to 41.1°C (106°F). It was also the highest temperature ever recorded in China’s capital in June.
Beijing’s all-time high of 41.9 °C (107 °F) since modern records began was reached on July 24, 1999.
Chinese meteorologists say the current heat wave was caused by warm air masses associated with high pressure ridges in the atmosphere, compounded by thin cloud cover and long daylight hours around the summer solstice.
Other countries in Asia have been experiencing deadly heatwaves in recent weeks, which scientists say are being made worse by rising global temperatures caused in part by burning fossil fuels.
In China, the heatwave coincided with a three-day holiday, the Dragon Boat Festival, which features rice dumplings and racing boats powered by paddler teams.
Beijing weather authorities urged residents not to exercise outdoors for long periods of time and to take measures to protect themselves from the sun.
Temperatures in the capital are expected to drop to around 34°C (93°F) on Monday before rising again later next week.