National Climate Center: 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded in China

China's national average temperature hit a historic high in 2024, according to the China Climate Bulletin 2024.

The bulletin was released Friday by the National Climate Center of the China Meteorological Administration at a press briefing in Beijing.

According to the bulletin, China's average temperature reached 10.9 degrees Celsius in 2024, marking the highest national average temperature ever recorded since 1951.

All four seasons in the past year recorded above-normal temperatures, with spring, summer and autumn temperatures all setting historic highs. The number of high-temperature days nationwide was 6.6 days above average, the second-highest since 1961.

"Following the El Niño influence from the previous year and against the backdrop of climate warming, China's annual average temperature has reached a new historic high in 2024." Xiao Chan, deputy director of the National Climate Center, said Friday at the press briefing.

He also said the past year had been one with "complex weather patterns, pronounced climate anomalies, frequent and intense extreme events, and prevalent meteorological disasters."

Frequent heavy rainfall and other precipitation events have caused damage to the country in the past year. The bulletin counts the national average precipitation as the fourth highest since 1951.

The bulletin is released annually to provide a comprehensive analysis of China's climate conditions, climate system monitoring, and major meteorological disasters and extreme weather events.

(Cover: China's National Climate Center)