China has concluded a year marred by unprecedented heatwaves and extreme weather events, marking a stark reminder of the accelerating global climate crisis. In 2023, a staggering 127 national weather stations shattered daily high temperature records, culminating in a national average temperature of 10.7 degrees Celsius, the highest since 1961.
From Beijing to Shanghai, 13 provinces experienced temperatures 0.5-1 degrees Celsius above historical averages, exacerbating the scorching conditions. The relentless heatwave in July saw Beijing enduring a historic 27 consecutive days with temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius, while Xinjiang reached a blistering 52.2 degrees Celsius.
Not confined to heat, torrential rains, spurred by typhoons, inundated various regions, recording precipitation levels surpassing historical extremes at 55 national weather stations.
The global ramifications were evident as other regions worldwide, including Europe, India, and North Africa, grappled with soaring temperatures, underscoring the interconnectedness of climate crises.
China’s National Climate Center anticipates worsening conditions in 2024, urging proactive measures to mitigate escalating temperatures and intensifying weather extremes.
