Pedestrians walk on a street in Kaifeng, Central China's Henan Province on May 15, 2023.Photo: IC

According to reports from Weather China on Monday, many localities across northern China have issued the first high-temperature orange warning this year. Experts warned that drought in the north and flooding in the south may become more frequent, noting that after a brief period of high temperatures, there may also be cold air activities, and that overall temperatures remain unstable.

The Shandong Meteorological Bureau issued an orange warning on Monday, stating that affected by the warm high pressure; the highest temperature in most areas of Jinan, capital of Shandong province, is expected to surpass 37 C on Monday. The highest temperature on Tuesday and Wednesday is to reach 36 C.

Gao Hui, the chief forecaster at the National Climate Centre, said that this summer, except for the central and northern parts of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province where the temperature is slightly lower than usual, most regions in the country are expected to experience temperatures that are close to or higher than average. 

However, Gao said, after comparing with weather conditions in 2022, it's predicted that this summer, in terms of the duration of high temperatures, peak intensity, range of high temperatures, and cities covered by extreme temperatures above 40, high-temperature events are expected to be weaker than last year.

“But the duration and range of high temperatures this year are still expected to be higher than the usual summer,” Gao added. He advised to be aware of the adverse effects of high temperatures on human health and relevant departments should prepare in advance for peak summer energy supply and other preparation work.

In some parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, central and northern Shandong, and central and northern Henan, the highest temperatures will reach or exceed 35 C, with some areas set to exceed 37 C.

Experts told the Global Times that since the La Niña phenomenon, a complex weather pattern that occurs every few years, as a result of variations in ocean temperatures in the equatorial band of the Pacific Ocean that lasted for three years, ended this spring, the El Niño phenomenon is likely to follow closely. Therefore, global sea surface temperatures will be affected, leading to higher temperatures. However, after a brief period of high temperatures, there may also be a return of cold air. 

In addition, Ma Jun, founder of the Blue Map app and director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, has publicly stated that the phenomenon of drought in northern China and flooding in the south may become an entrenched part of China's climate into the future.  

Besides, experts say the impact is not only on China, but also on other countries in the Pacific region and in Asia. According to CNN, the capital cities of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand have all hit record temperatures in May, with Vietnam hitting a record high of 44.2C.