Weekend forecast is a little cooler but wet

By Lu Feiran  |   2008-7-17  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE city will be a little cooler from the weekend, with rain forecast, weathermen said yesterday.

The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau predicted rain or thunderstorms and maximum temperatures of between 33 and 34 degrees Celsius.

But today and tomorrow will be hot, with maximum temperatures reaching about 36 degrees. Rain or thunderstorms may hit northern areas in the afternoon.

Forecasters advised people to stay indoors at noon because of the heat and to avoid possible lightning.

Yesterday was the 10th day of the year when the daily high was more than 35 degrees. The bureau issued a yellow heat alert at 11am.

The daily power demand in the city was close to the record, reaching about 21.1 million kilowatts, the Shanghai Municipal Electric Company said.

In some areas, such as Songjiang and Minhang districts, the power supply facilities were seriously overloaded, particularly in the Sheshan, Jiuting and Xinqiao areas in Songjiang.

Temperatures dropped rapidly in some areas after thunderstorms hit as the rain belt north of the Yangtze River moved south.

The thunderstorm caused temperatures to drop by eight degrees within two hours in Baoshan District.