China's meteorological authorities have issued their main flood season forecast for June to August, predicting a busier-than-average typhoon season and uneven rainfall across the country.
About typhoons
The National Meteorological Center expects 24 to 26 typhoons to form in the Northwest Pacific and the South China Sea this year. Of these, seven to nine are forecast to make landfall or significantly affect China's coastal areas, higher than the annual average.
Typhoons this year are expected to move westward or north-westward, primarily affecting the eastern and southern coastal regions. The storms are likely to be stronger than average.
The active typhoon season is expected to start earlier than usual. Meteorologists said there is a risk of typhoons moving northward during the peak summer months and making landfall or significantly affecting coastal areas. Typhoon activity is forecast to be stronger in summer than in autumn, with the last landfall of the season coming earlier than average.
Two rain belts are expected in eastern China
During the main flood season, two distinct rainfall zones are expected across eastern China. The northern rain belt will cover Beijing, Tianjin, eastern Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. The southern one will include southern Zhejiang, most of Fujian, Taiwan, southern Guangdong, and Hainan.
These areas are expected to receive 20 to 50 percent more rainfall than the seasonal average.
Other parts of the country will see near-normal or below-normal rainfall. Hubei, most of Hunan, most of Chongqing, and northern Xinjiang are likely to see rainfall deficits of 20 to 50 percent.
Temperature outlook
Most of China is forecast to experience above-average temperatures during the main flood season. Regions including North China, East China, Central China, South China, eastern parts of Southwest China, and Xinjiang are expected to face periods of extreme heat.
In early summer, North China, northern parts of East China, and northern parts of Central China may see seven to 10 days of high temperatures.
Southern parts of East China, southern parts of Central China, and eastern parts of Southwest China are likely to experience significant heat and drought conditions in mid-to-late summer, with 27 to 32 days of high temperatures.
Xinjiang is forecast to be notably warmer than average, with 20 to 25 days of high temperatures across the region.
Author | Feng Huiting
