Temperature drops to interrupt warm spell

While some parts of the country will continue to experience warmer weather this week, a significant temperature drop is expected across most of China from Tuesday to Saturday, bringing an end to an unusual nationwide warm spell, the National Meteorological Center said on Sunday.

Some southern regions, where highs have topped 30 C, could see temperatures plunge by as much as 14 C.

Since March 16, central and eastern China have been gradually warming. By Wednesday, temperatures in eastern and southern parts of the country will exceed 25 C, with some areas in the Huanghuai, Jianghuai and northern Jiangnan regions forecast to reach record highs for March, according to the meteorological center.

South of the Yellow River, temperatures will peak above 30 C, with some locations in Jiangnan and South China possibly hitting 35 C, it said.

Huanghuai is a region covering parts of Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. Jianghuai refers to the area around the lower reaches of the Huaihe and Yangtze rivers in Jiangsu, Anhui and Henan, while Jiangnan encompasses areas south of the Yangtze.

On Saturday, Beijing's Haidian district recorded the highest temperature in the country, tying for first place nationwide and breaking the local March record by surpassing 30 C for the first time since recording began in 1959. It also marked the earliest Beijing has reached this temperature, beating the previous record of April 8, 2004.

But the overall warming trend is expected to reverse beginning on Tuesday, with temperatures dropping 8 to 12 C across most of the country, the meteorological center said.

In eastern Northwest China, western North China, southern Huanghuai, Jianghuai and Jiangnan, the temperature could drop by as much as 14 to 16 C, with some areas experiencing a plunge of more than 20 C. In North China, daytime highs are forecast to fall to between 10 and 15 C.

Strong winds are expected from Tuesday to Saturday, with speeds reaching levels 4 to 6 in most areas. Gusts of levels 7 to 9 are forecast in the Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions, Gansu province and northern North China, possibly hitting levels 10 to 11.

The winds will bring dusty weather, expanding from eastern and southern Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, western Gansu and the northern part of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region to the Northwest, southern Northeast China, North China and Huanghuai regions.

The meteorological center warned of significant temperature fluctuations and a widespread dust event in the north. It advised the public to stay updated on forecasts, dress appropriately and take precautions against respiratory hazards.