Shanghai sees wettest day outside of summer/early autumn on record by a large margin after 33°C heat
6After an unusual April hot spell which saw temperatures climb above 33°C, the locked down city Shanghai has seen unusually intense rain for this time of year with the official station seeing their wettest spring day on record and in fact wettest non summer or early autumn day on record by a large margin.
118.2 mm of rain fell at the official station in the 24 hours to 8 AM today beating the non summer or early autumn record of 87.8 mm in April 1989. By contrast, on average 74 mm of rain falls during the entire month of April,
Such intense rainfall is unusual for this time of year as the waters in the East China Sea and the South China Sea which provide the source of moisture for Shanghai's heavy rainfall. However, sea surface temperatures off the coast of Shanghai are currently more than 5°C above average.
The intense rainfall was associated with moist low level wind convergence towards a slow moving low pressure system coupled with upper level divergence ahead of an upper level trough.
Prior to the intense rainfall, Shanghai had seen record heat for the time of year with temperatures climbing over the 33°C mark. By contrast, on average the first 30+°C day occurs on May 7th.
Radar loop illustrating the prolonged rainfall over Shanghai:
118.2 mm of rain fell at the official station in the 24 hours to 8 AM today beating the non summer or early autumn record of 87.8 mm in April 1989. By contrast, on average 74 mm of rain falls during the entire month of April,
Such intense rainfall is unusual for this time of year as the waters in the East China Sea and the South China Sea which provide the source of moisture for Shanghai's heavy rainfall. However, sea surface temperatures off the coast of Shanghai are currently more than 5°C above average.
The intense rainfall was associated with moist low level wind convergence towards a slow moving low pressure system coupled with upper level divergence ahead of an upper level trough.
Prior to the intense rainfall, Shanghai had seen record heat for the time of year with temperatures climbing over the 33°C mark. By contrast, on average the first 30+°C day occurs on May 7th.
Radar loop illustrating the prolonged rainfall over Shanghai:
China daily rainfall map:
Image courtesy of Chinese Meteorological Agency.
Sea surface temperature anomalies map showing sea surface temperatures:
Image courtesy of Climate Reanalyser.