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 (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the third consecutive day on Saturday, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
In nearby Hebei province and the port city of Tianjin, temperatures have also exceeded 40°C in recent days, prompting authorities to issue “red” alerts for extreme weather.
In China’s four-tier weather warning system, red indicates the most severe conditions, those with potential health and safety risks.
Other Asian countries have experienced deadly heat waves in recent weeks, which scientists say are exacerbated by rising global temperatures, caused in part by the burning of fossil fuels.
Beijing experienced its second hottest day on record on Thursday, when temperatures soared to 41.1 C (106 F). It was also the hottest temperature ever recorded in the Chinese capital for the month of June.
The city experienced its all-time high on record of 41.9 C (107 F) 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, aggravated by thin cloud layers and long hours of sunlight around the summer solstice.
The warm weather has coincided with a three-day public holiday, the Dragon Boat Festival, dedicated to eating rice dumplings and racing boats powered by rowing teams.
Beijing meteorological authorities urged residents to avoid exercising outdoors for long periods of time and take measures to protect themselves from the sun.
Temperatures in the capital were expected to drop to around 34 C (93 F) on Monday before rising again next week.
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