Tourists walk in the Qingzhou Ancient City Tourist Area in Weifang, East China's Shandong Province on May 16, 2025. Photo: IC

A heat wave is expected to bring scorching temperatures as high as 40 C or above to parts of northern China while the southern parts of the country will continue to be drenched by heavy rains in the coming week with some place forecast to experience rainstorms, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

The first heatwave of the year in northern China has begun with the peak period of its impact expected from Monday to Thursday. Multiple places including Northwest China, North China and the Huanghuai region may experience extreme heat with temperatures reaching 40 C. Meanwhile, rainy conditions will persist over the coming week in the south, and some areas in the Jiangnan region and South China should be alert to compounded disaster risks from prolonged rainfall and take precautions against secondary hazards, according to weather.com.cn.

The widespread and intense heatwave in northern China will bring high temperatures of 35 C or above to parts of Ningxia, Shaanxi, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, and Hubei, while daily maximum temperatures could reach 37 C to 40 C in southern Shanxi, central and northern parts of Henan, western part of Shandong, and the Guanzhong region of Shaanxi. The heatwave could push temperatures in some areas above 40 C.

In particular, Shaanxi is the core affected area by this heatwave, with the longest duration of high temperatures potentially lasting up to three to four days. In some places, temperatures may reach or even surpass historical records for the same period of year.

Starting today, Shaanxi provincial capital Xi’an is expected to experience four consecutive days of high temperatures.

Meanwhile, rainfall will persist in southern China. Moderate to heavy rain is forecast for the eastern part of Southwest China, the central and southern part of Jiangnan region, and most areas of South China on Sunday and Monday.

Some areas will suffer from heavy rains to rainstorms accompanied by short-term intense downpours, according to weather.com.cn.

In South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, heavy downpours occurred in Beiliu city in Yulin of the autonomous region, causing flooding. A resident from Dalun town was swept away by the floodwaters. The local government promptly launched a search effort and located the individual, who showed no signs of life, according to CCTV.

Yulin activated a Level IV flood emergency response at 9:30 am on Saturday. Preventive measures will be taken against the secondary disasters such as mountain floods, mudslides, and urban waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall in areas of Beiliu and the southern parts of Rongxian county, CCTV reported.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) has forecast that after the current round of rainfall, another round will follow from Tuesday to Wednesday in the south. Moderate to heavy rain is expected in southern Sichuan, Guizhou, as well as in Jiangnan and northern parts of South China, with some areas experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall.

These regions should remain alert to the compounded disaster risks from continuous rainfall and strengthen precautions against secondary hazards such as mudslides and landslides. The public is advised to avoid traveling to mountainous or other areas prone to geological disasters.

Global Times