Hong Kong CNN —A major heat wave is forecast to spread across large swathes of northern China this week, bringing record high temperatures to some areas, according to China’s meteorological authorities.
The heat wave, which began on Saturday, has already triggered government weather alerts and follows the country’s hottest spring on record.
The national observatory on Monday issued an orange alert for high temperatures – the second most severe warning – as sweltering heat engulfed the country’s north.
Beijing on Saturday raised its first yellow alert for high temperatures this summer, warning residents to avoid going outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.
Zhong said the high temperatures were linked to El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.
Persons:
Zheng Zhihai, Zhong, El Niño, El
Organizations:
Hong Kong CNN, National Meteorological Center, NMC, National Climate Center, Xinhua
Locations:
Hong Kong, China, Shandong, Hebei, Xinjiang, Beijing, ”, Beijing’s Chaoyang, Guangdong