Sun setting on record-breaking heat wave
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Tuesday 20/08/2013 english.eastday.com
SHANGHAI’S recent spell of scorching weather is expected to finally end early next week, although temperatures will stay around 35 degrees Celsius over the weekend, forecasters said yesterday.
The city recorded its 42nd high-temperature day of the year yesterday as the highest number in six decades.
The benchmark Xujiahui observatory recorded the highest temperature of 35.3 degrees in downtown yesterday. Outlying areas saw high temperatures of between 33 and 35 degrees.
The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau issued a yellow high-temperature alert as the lowest in a three-level system around noon yesterday.
Temperatures are set to fall below the 35-degree benchmark on Monday.
The high will be around 35 degrees today and tomorrow, though more cloud will arrive, bringing showers tomorrow night, said the bureau.
Winds from the East China Sea will blow into the city on Monday, bringing more showers to lower temperatures, said Zhu Jiehua, chief forecaster with the bureau.
More cloudy days will also cool down the city, she said.
A dip in temperatures may bring some respite to local vegetable growers.
Vegetable prices double
Production has fallen 30 percent this summer, with the heat wave affecting growth rates, the Shanghai Agricultural Commission said yesterday.
The price of green vegetables has doubled from previous months, as seedlings have wilted in the heat.
The commission said it will give subsidies to farmers, while urging them to grow more vegetables.
Officials said from next year they will include heat waves as a weather disaster in insurance policies for farmers.