A rainy day in July (File photo)

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Many people in Chongqing may said that there were 20 days of rain in this July, which seemed to be the coolest July. Rainwater and drops in temperature became subjects in the past July in Chongqing. The data from Chongqing Climate Center will show you the reasons and truths.

Rainfall is less than that over years

According to Chongqing Climate Center, from July 1st to 31st, average precipitation in Chongqing was 153.2mm, with a decrease of 15% than the same period over years and an increase of 16% than the same period of last year. Such precipitation can only be average among that recorded since 1951. Average rain days were 13.9, with an increase of 0.5 day and 4.2 days than the same period over years and that of last year respectively.

The precipitation in Shapingba reached 183.8mm, close to the same period over years and with an increase of 30% than the same period of last year. Rain days in main districts were 12, decreasing 0.3 day than the same period over years and increasing 4 days than the same period of last year.

Temperature in July ranks the 8th lowest in the same period since 1951

The temperature in July in Chongqing is cooler than that in previous years. From July 1st to 31st, the average temperature in Chongqing was 26.5℃, with an decrease of 0.9℃ and 2.8℃ than that in the same period over years and of last year respectively, which ranks the 8th lowest in the same period since 1951. In July, the highest temperature appeared in Fengjie on 29th, up to 41.8℃, and the lowest temperature appeared in Qianjiang on 9th, only 16.5℃.

The average temperature in Shapingba reached 27.9℃, with an decrease of 0.4℃ and 3.7℃ than in the same period over years and that of last year respectively. The extremely high temperature in main districts was 38.9℃ on 28th while the extremely low temperature was 20.9℃ on 9th.

Subtropical high affects the climate

As for the reasons why the precipitation is less than that over years though it rained frequently in July, Yang Baogang, the Vice Director of Chongqing Climate Center, explained that the climate in July is with low temperature, more rain days and less rainfalls in total.

“The main factors for cool weather and more rain days is the subtropical high.” Yang Baogang said that affected by the strong cyclonic wind field in the lower troposphere from the East China Sea to the Yellow Sea, the cold air in the northeast China became more active. In early July, the subtropical high appeared a southward retreat, and then stayed at a relatively southerly position for a long time, causing frequent intersection of warm and cold air over Chongqing. As the subtropical high moved back and forth, weak cold air constantly affected the climate in Chongqing, making the climate in July in Chongqing with low temperature, more rain days and less rainfalls in total.

A photo of Chongqing after rains

High temperature to occur with rainstorms in August

Rain has become a subject in the climate in July. As for the climate in August, Chongqing Climate Center predicts that in early August, the precipitation may be more than normal over years, with 6-7 rainy days or so. While in late August, most areas will have periodic high temperature days with daily maximum temperature greater than or equal to 35℃ and in mid-August, rainstorms and severe convection weather will occur in northeast and southeast Chongqing.

In words, high temperature and rainstorms will occur in August. People in Chongqing will undergo high temperature alert together with rainstorm alert, which will be called as “boiling water spurting out of sky” by netizens. (Translated by Mao Qiao, Fathom Language Limited)