China's Meteorological Stations Record First 50°C Heat of the Year
A weather station at Ayding Lake in Turpan, Xinjiang, recorded 50 degrees Celsius on July 21, marking the highest temperature registered by a national station this year. Severe heatwaves continue across the region.
Xinjiang and the Sichuan Basin in China have been experiencing sustained heatwaves in recent days, with particularly pronounced high temperatures in Turpan and Chongqing.
On July 21, the Ayding Lake station (艾丁湖站) in Turpan reached 50 degrees Celsius. This figure represents the highest temperature recorded by a national meteorological station this year and is the first time this benchmark has been exceeded in 2026.
Chongqing city issued a red high-temperature warning, the highest alert level, on July 22. Over the next ten days, Xinjiang, western Inner Mongolia, and western Gansu are expected to endure continued high temperatures.
Areas including the Sichuan Basin, southern Shaanxi, and Henan are predicted to experience heat reaching 37–39 degrees Celsius from July 24-25. Additionally, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River anticipate hot and humid weather between July 27-31, with temperatures ranging from 35–38 degrees Celsius.
National statistics from 2025 indicate China's average temperature set a historical high, with 56 national meteorological stations reaching or surpassing their historical records for daily maximum temperature. The number of high-temperature days in 2025 was also the highest on record, averaging 16.5 days, an increase of 7.4 days compared to the long-term average.