Warming continues. From Xin Kuai Bao (新快报), translated by CDT:
“The two most prominent features of 2007’s weather in Guangzhou have been higher temperatures and less rainfall,” experts from the Guangdong provincial astronomical association concluded as the year drew to a close. One of China’s largest subtropical cities, Guangzhou set numerous meteorological records in 2007. With an average temperature over 23 degrees Celsius, Guangzhou registered its hottest year in 2007 since records started being kept in 1908. Annual average temperatures have risen more since 1997 than in previous 30 years combined. Three years–2003, 2006 and 2007–recorded average temperatures above 23 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit). With the exception of April, every month in 2007 was hotter than usual.
If this trend continues, experts say, Guangzhou’s climate will eventually transform from subtropical to tropical–a change that will almost certainly lead to major changes in residents’ lifestyles.
Equally distressing, Guangzhou received less than 1,400 millimeters of rain in 2007, 80% of the average annual precipitation and 60% of precipitation in 2006. There was a severe shortage of rain from October to December, draining rivers and water reservoirs. The past year has been the driest year since 2003, and the second driest since 1991. Rainfall had been rising since 2003 and peaked in 2006 with 2,300 millimeters. [Full Text in Chinese]
[Image: weather forecast for Guangzhou from sina.com]
– Shanghai Records Hottest Year – Oriental Morning Post
