China Heat: Sauna-Like Conditions Persist in Central, East

A widespread sauna-like heat wave continues to grip central and eastern China, with local temperatures potentially exceeding 38°C (100.4°F) as the region endures another day of oppressive heat and humidity. The China Weather Network reported Thursday that the muggy conditions, characterized by high nighttime temperatures described as “heat without rest throughout the day,” are expected to persist through Friday before gradually easing from August 8.

A Summer of Record Heat

The current heat wave is part of a broader pattern that has made 2026 one of the hottest summers on record for China. According to the National Climate Center, the average number of high-temperature days nationwide has reached nearly six days—more than double the long-term average for the same period and the highest on record. The first high-temperature event of the year began on May 19-21, more than half a month earlier than usual, with the trend showing high-temperature events starting 2.2 days earlier per decade.

Meteorologists attribute the persistent heat to a “heat dome” phenomenon created by the convergence of two high-pressure systems: the Western Pacific Subtropical High, which has anomalously shifted northward from its typical position over the Yangtze River basin, and a continental warm high-pressure system moving eastward from inland areas. These systems have merged near the Bohai and Yellow Seas, trapping warm air over a vast region stretching from Shandong and Jiangsu in the east to Hubei and Anhui in central China.

Regional Breakdown: Dry Heat in the West, Muggy Conditions in the East

While central and eastern China grapple with sticky, sauna-like conditions, western regions are experiencing a different kind of heat. In Xinjiang, western Inner Mongolia, and western Gansu, persistent dry heat continues, with the Turpan Basin potentially reaching above 42°C (107.6°F), according to Xinhua News.

In the east, the city of Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, is expected to reach 38°C (100.4°F) on Thursday and Friday, with residents advised to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest afternoon hours and guard against heatstroke. The high humidity means perceived temperatures feel even hotter than the actual readings, with health experts noting that perceived temperature can be 1-3°C higher than actual temperature in hot, humid conditions.

Northeast China: An Unprecedented Experience

The 2026 heat wave has been particularly notable in northeast China, traditionally a summer resort destination. As Phoenix News reported, Shenyang’s average temperature has surpassed that of Hainan Island for the same period, with nighttime minimum temperatures breaking 70-year records at 28°C. Liaoning’s power grid set a record peak load of 45.85 million kW on July 31 as residents turned to air conditioning in unprecedented numbers.

“In this summer where the north is more humid and hot than the south, ‘Liaoning people going to Guangdong to escape the heat’ is no longer a joke,” one report noted. Elderly residents who typically avoided air conditioning have begun using it 24/7, and the “summer resort” label that northeasterners are proud of appears to be gradually slipping away.

However, relief is on the way for the northeast. Starting Friday, a cold front moving southward is expected to bring temperatures down to around 25°C (77°F) in Heilongjiang and Jilin, with Harbin’s maximum temperature dropping from 31°C today to 21°C (69.8°F) by the day after tomorrow.

Typhoon White Dolphin Approaches

Adding to the weather complexity, Typhoon White Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the 2026 season, is approaching China’s eastern coast. The storm, which has traveled nearly 4,000 km across the western Pacific, has been upgraded to super typhoon strength with maximum winds of 52 m/s (level 16). According to Guancha, the Central Meteorological Observatory has identified two possible impact paths: one bringing landfall on the coast from the Yangtze estuary to northern Fujian around August 9 at typhoon or strong typhoon strength, and another turning north to make landfall or graze the coast from the Yangtze estuary to the Shandong Peninsula around August 10-11.

As 21st Century Business Herald noted, the question on many minds is whether the typhoon can “press the pause button” on the hot and muggy weather. August is expected to see 6-7 typhoons form in the western Pacific and South China Sea, above the long-term average of 5.6, with 2-3 making landfall or significantly affecting China.

Health Warnings and Climate Context

The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and China Meteorological Administration have jointly issued high-temperature health risk warnings, with a three-tier system advising vulnerable groups to avoid going out during orange and red warnings. Health experts emphasize that at nighttime, when relative humidity exceeds 60%, a temperature of 28°C feels like nearly 30°C.

Experts note that northern China is transitioning from dry heat to humid heat—a long-term climate trend rather than a short-term fluctuation. Data shows that over the past five years, extreme precipitation in northern China has increased, with rainstorm days increasing by 55.6% and rainstorm intensity increasing by 55.3%, signaling a fundamental shift in the traditional “northern drought, southern flood” pattern.

What to Watch For

While the China Meteorological Administration forecasts that heat will gradually reduce from August 8 in central and eastern China, the agency also projects four more significant high-temperature events in August (Aug 7-9, 11-14, 22-25, 29-31), suggesting the relief may be temporary. The path of Typhoon White Dolphin remains uncertain, and its impact on the heat wave could vary significantly depending on which trajectory it takes. Residents across affected regions are advised to monitor official weather warnings and take appropriate precautions against heat-related illness.