China Meteorological Administration's annual climate report

China's 2024 Warmest Year on Record at 10.92°C, Shanghai Hits 18.8°C

Jan 2, 2025, 04:13 AM

In 2024, China experienced its warmest year on record, with an average national temperature of 10.92 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous year by 1.03 degrees. This marks the second consecutive year of breaking temperature records, with the top four warmest years occurring in the last four years, and all top ten warmest years since 1961 falling within the 21st century. In Shanghai, the average temperature reached 18.8 degrees Celsius, the highest since records began in 1873. The warmer climate, accompanied by stronger storms and increased rainfall, led to increased power consumption in the world's second-largest economy. The heat also impacted agriculture, particularly in the rice-growing south, prompting China to initiate research into adapting staple crops to higher temperatures to safeguard food security.