Cloudy start to hot weather

By Yang Lifei  |   2008-7-22  |     ONLINE EDITION

IT will be cloudy most of the day today, but showers are expected to hit parts of the city, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau forecast today.

The weather is damp and sultry today, with temperature ranging from 27 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius.

Today is called Dashu or Great Heat, the day marking the beginning of the 12th of the 24 solar terms. It usually falls on July 22, 23 and 24, which is in the midst of the three ``fu'' or the three hottest periods of the year each lasting ten days.

Scorching weather will return in the next two to three days and thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon, the bureau said.

The temperature will rise to 35 degrees Celsius late this week, hitting a high on Thursday when temperatures are expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius.
So far there have been 12 hot days in the city this year with temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius.