Residents of Shanghai were caught off guard as the city’s temperature soared past 30 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, marking the earliest occurrence of such heat since 1933. According to the Shanghai Meteorological Service, this unusual spike breaks a nearly 90-year-old record.
Typically, Shanghai doesn’t experience temperatures this high until late April or early May. Data from the Xujiahui meteorological observatory indicates that March temperatures reaching or exceeding 30 degrees Celsius have only happened twice in the past 150 years: on March 20, 1933, and March 31, 1945.
“This sudden heatwave is a result of complex climatic interactions,” explained Shi Jiawen, a climate expert. “The intensified cold southbound air due to the La Niña phenomenon in the equatorial central-eastern Pacific is clashing with warm northbound currents fueled by global warming. These conflicting forces are colliding over the Yangtze River Delta, causing dramatic temperature fluctuations.”
The unseasonal warmth was a surprise for many residents enjoying the city’s famous cherry blossoms, which are in full bloom across Shanghai. However, the heatwave is expected to be short-lived. The meteorological bureau forecasts a sharp drop in temperatures in the coming days, reminding everyone to stay prepared for changing weather conditions.
