North China has endured its longest rainy season since modern records began in 1961. The nation also just experienced its hottest summer in over six decades. This dual crisis highlights the severe impact of extreme weather.
The China Meteorological Administration confirmed these records on Tuesday. Scientists link this atmospheric chaos directly to global climate change. The events have caused significant disruption and danger across the country.
Unprecedented Rainfall and Scorching Heat Grip the Nation
The prolonged “Plum Rains” season began one week earlier than normal. This monsoon period is named for coinciding with plum ripening along the Yangtze River. Torrential rains caused hundreds of deaths and billions in economic damage.
Meanwhile, large areas suffered under extreme heat. The country averaged 13.7 high-temperature days this summer. This was 5.7 days more than the seasonal average from June to August.
The national average temperature reached 22.3 degrees Celsius. This was 1.1 degrees above normal. It ties with another recent year as the highest since 1961.
Major Challenges for Infrastructure and Public Safety
This extreme weather poses a massive challenge for Chinese policymakers. Heavy rains threaten to overwhelm aging flood defenses. They also risk displacing millions of citizens from their homes.
Scorching heat strains the national power grid to its limits. It also damages vital croplands, threatening food security. According to Reuters, these patterns are consistent with global climate trends.
A single week of rain in late July triggered deadly flash floods near Beijing. The disaster killed 44 people in the deadliest flood event since 2012. The region received a full year’s worth of rain in just seven days.
Thought you’d like to know
What caused China’s record-breaking rainy season?
A stubborn high-pressure system interacted with a strong East Asian monsoon. This combination led to prolonged and intense rainfall across northern regions far beyond the typical season.
How does this summer’s heat compare to previous years?
The summer of 2024 tied with another year as the hottest since 1961. The national average temperature was 1.1 degrees Celsius above the normal seasonal average.
What was the human cost of these weather events?
Flash floods in late July killed 44 people near Beijing. A 2023 report in The Lancet also estimated heatwave-related deaths in China reached 50,900 in 2022.
Is this extreme weather a global pattern?
Yes. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed August 2024 was the third-warmest globally. Above-average sea surface temperatures were also recorded across the northern Pacific.
What is the “Plum Rains” season?
It is the East Asia monsoon period that coincides with the ripening of plums along the Yangtze River. It typically brings seasonal rains, but this year was exceptionally early and long.
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