Guangzhou’s Record Summer: Climate Change Extends Heatwaves and Disrupts Seasonal Patterns

Guangzhou, one of China’s largest cities, is experiencing an unusually long summer, with temperatures defying seasonal expectations.

As of mid-November, the city has logged 235 summer days, surpassing a 30-year record set in 1994.

This prolonged heat wave highlights growing concerns over climate change and its effects on weather patterns.

Unlike many regions, Guangdong province defines seasons by temperature rather than calendar dates. Autumn typically begins when the average five-day temperature drops below 22°C, usually around early November.

However, this year, temperatures are forecast to remain at summer levels until at least 18 November, with averages hovering at 24.9°C—1.2°C above historical norms.

Meteorologists attribute the extended summer to the weak influence of the Siberian High, a large cold air system crucial for bringing cooler winds to the region.

The diminished impact of this system has left Guangzhou sweltering longer than usual.

The extended summer is just one of several extreme weather phenomena that have struck Guangzhou in recent years. In April, a tornado caused fatalities and significant damage, while severe flooding disrupted the province.

These events reflect a broader trend of increasingly severe and frequent weather events across China, including droughts, heatwaves, and power outages, all intensified by human-driven climate change.

Analysis has revealed that climate breakdown is supercharging such extreme events globally. Many disasters over the past decade, from deadly heatwaves to catastrophic floods, would have been virtually impossible without human-caused global warming.

China’s response to these challenges has been twofold: ramping up renewable energy installations while grappling with energy security concerns.

Record-breaking renewable energy projects offer hope, but reliance on coal remains a hurdle. Balancing energy demands and climate action will be critical as the country navigates its future amid escalating climate risks.