As the Chinese mainland wrapped up its second hottest sanfu period on record, the mercury shows no sign of backing off. Sanfu—the traditional dog days of summer spanning three 10-day phases—ran from July 20 to August 18, with a national average temperature of 23.21°C. Here’s what you need to know.
Record-Breaking Sanfu
This year’s sanfu saw extreme and persistent heat. Over 100 weather stations logged new highs for consecutive hot days, and regions like Xinjiang, Sichuan and Henan endured more than 20 days of intense temperatures. A strong high-pressure system cleared the skies, trapping warm air across the Chinese mainland.
Heatwave Not Over Yet
Despite the sanfu closing, the high-pressure system will likely hold through August, keeping central and southern China on a scorcher watch. Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai could see temperatures climb toward 40°C in the coming days. With humidity on the rise, heat indexes will feel even higher.
Stay Cool, Stay Safe
Health officials recommend staying hydrated, wearing light clothing and limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours. Air conditioning, cool showers and shaded breaks are your best allies against the lingering heatwave.
For global citizens and travelers alike, this sanfu reminder underscores the power of weather extremes in a changing climate—and the small steps we can take to beat the summer blaze.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
