China experiences warmest spring in history

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – China experienced the warmest spring on record between March and May, with temperatures hitting a record high since meteorological records began to be maintained in 1961, state media reported on Monday.

The national average temperature between March and May reached 12.3 degrees Celsius (54.14 Fahrenheit), up 1.4 degrees Celsius (34.52 Fahrenheit) from the previous year's 10.9 degrees Celsius (51.62 Fahrenheit), a record in the same period since 1961, the Global Times reported, citing China's National Climate Center.

The average springtime temperature in most regions was between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius higher than usual in the country. In certain regions, such as Sichuan, Shanxi, Gansu, Anhui, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Ningxia, and Henan, the average temperature reached its highest point since 1961 during that same period.

Some 31 national weather stations in the southwestern and southern parts of the country recorded daily maximum temperatures that meet the standards of extreme weather events.

Among them, 12 stations recorded temperatures reaching or surpassing historic extreme values. Specifically, on April 30, temperature highs of 42.8C (109.4F) and 42C (107.6F) were recorded in Lingao county and Chengmai county, both in the Hainan Province of South China.

On the other hand, the National Climate Center also noted that the overall precipitation across the country was generally above average during the spring, with an uneven spatial distribution.

The national average precipitation in spring was 163 millimeters, 13.3% higher than the average precipitation for the same period, making it the sixth highest in history since 1961.

South China's Guangdong Province received the most precipitation this spring since 1961, while Northeast China's Jilin Province and Northwest China's Qinghai Province received the third most precipitation ever.

Due to high temperatures and less rainfall since the beginning of the year, continuous drought affected the southwestern region from winter to spring. However, multiple rainfalls in May have gradually helped alleviate this region's drought.

Since April, droughts have affected and developed in the regions of Huanghuai and Jianghuai, with moderate to severe droughts currently affecting parts of central Huanghuai, northern Jianghuai and eastern Jianghan regions.​​​​​​​