As summer approaches, cities across the Chinese mainland are bracing for unprecedented heat. On June 9, the Central Meteorological Observatory of China issued the country’s first orange alert for high temperatures in 2024, signaling a severe weather warning.
China employs a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red indicating the most severe conditions, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. This year’s orange alert was issued earlier than in previous years, with the first alert set on June 17 in 2022 and June 22 in 2023.
Wei Ke, a research fellow at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, warns that extreme high temperatures are not limited to China. \"Almost the entire Northern Hemisphere is experiencing earlier and more intense heatwaves,\" he said. This trend highlights the growing challenges of climate change, affecting urban areas and natural ecosystems alike.
Authorities are urging citizens to take precautions, such as staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and ensuring access to cool environments. The early onset of extreme temperatures underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate strategies and adaptive measures to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
