NewKerala.com

China Braces for First Major Heat Wave of 2026, Temps to Hit 37°C

North China is set to experience its first widespread heat wave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to reach 37°C in some areas. The China Meteorological Administration warns of dry conditions and strong sunshine as the heat expands across multiple provinces and cities by May 13. Beijing will see daytime highs around 32°C on May 10, rising to 34°C early next week. Residents are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activities and stay hydrated.

Key Points: China’s First 2026 Heat Wave: Temperatures Soar to 37°C

  • Temperatures expected to reach 37°C in some areas
  • Heat wave to expand across Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu by May 13
  • North China warming faster than regions south of the Yangtze
  • Residents advised to limit outdoor activities and stay hydrated
2 min read

China set for first heat wave of 2026 in coming days

North China faces its first widespread heat wave of 2026, with temperatures up to 37°C. Beijing to see highs of 34°C. Residents advised to limit outdoor activities.

"The upcoming heat in north China will feature dry conditions and strong sunshine. - China Meteorological Administration"

Beijing, May 9

North China is expected to experience its first widespread heat wave of the year over the next few days, with temperatures in some areas forecast to reach as high as 37 degrees Celsius, according to China's meteorological authorities.

The China Meteorological Administration said on Friday that most parts of north China will see below-average rainfall over the next 10 days. Temperatures will be 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, and some local areas will see rises of 4 to 5 degrees Celsius, reports Xinhua news agency.

Starting Saturday, areas with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius will expand rapidly across north China. By May 13, the heat wave is expected to have spread across much of Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong and Jiangsu, marking this year's first large-scale high-temperature event in north China.

China's north-south divide is primarily defined by the geographical boundary of the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River, which lie roughly between 32 and 34 degrees north latitude.

Beijing's meteorological authorities said the capital will see daytime highs of around 32 degrees Celsius on May 10. Temperatures are expected to keep rising early next week, with daytime highs ranging from 31 to 34 degrees Celsius, before cooling later in the week.

Notably, around the solar term Lixia, or the Beginning of Summer, which fell on May 5 this year, summer conditions usually advance northward from regions south of the Yangtze River toward the generally drier and cooler north China.

This year, however, north China is expected to warm up faster than regions south of the Yangtze, with parts of the North China Plain potentially entering summer ahead of southern areas.

Meteorological authorities warned that the upcoming heat in north China will feature dry conditions and strong sunshine. Residents are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activities during the hottest afternoon hours.

They are also urged to stay hydrated and take precautions against sudden temperature drops at night.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting how they mention the north-south divide using the Qinling-Huaihe line. Reminds me of our own Vindhyas and Narmada dividing India. 37°C might be a heatwave for them but for us Indians, that's just a regular summer day in Chennai! Wishing our northern neighbours well though.
V
Vikram M
Below-average rainfall AND high temperatures? That's a recipe for drought. We saw similar patterns in Rajasthan last year. Climate change doesn't respect borders - it's a global problem that needs global solutions. Hope China's authorities are prepared with cooling centres and water supplies.
A
Ananya R
I remember reading about the Lixia solar term - it's fascinating how Chinese traditional knowledge aligns with modern meteorology. Meanwhile, in India, we're still grappling with power cuts during heatwaves. 34°C in Beijing sounds like a Mumbai winter day though! 😂 Stay safe everyone.
R
Rohit P
North China heating up faster than the south - that's unexpected. Usually it's the other way around. Maybe it's due to urban heat island effect in cities like Beijing and Tianjin. We see similar patterns in Indian metros. Government should focus on more green spaces and reflective roofs.
J
James A
I've lived in both India and China, and I can say both countries face similar climate challenges. The heatwave warnings are important - people tend to underestimate heat stress. Hope the Chinese authorities provide adequate public advisories, especially for outdoor workers and the elderly.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50