Forecasters confident of weathering all storms

Influence of conditions

This year, the games are featuring 35 competitive sports, with most events scheduled to take place in 13 cities or zones across Shaanxi.

They opened on Sept 15 and will close on Sept 27, but some events had already been completed before the opening ceremony, including the men's soccer, men's volleyball and diving competitions.

"Meteorology and sports are inseparable," said Cai Xinling, an expert from the Shaanxi Climate Center.

"In the worst conditions, bad weather such as rainstorms and extremely high temperatures can cause outdoor events to be suspended. Other factors, including wind and humidity, also have an impact on venues and the athletes' performances," she said, adding that wind can have a great influence on certain competitions.

"For example, in events such as the javelin and discus, a light head wind can increase lift, which is beneficial to performances. Tail winds are conducive to hammer throwing, while crosswinds can affect accuracy in archery and shooting events."

She noted that humidity levels must be within a set range because too much water vapor in the air can make it difficult for the athletes to breathe easily and perform well, but if conditions are too dry, the competitors may become dehydrated.

Rain affects different sports in different ways. "For track and field events, rain will make the track slippery and hard to run on. But for marathons, a little rain will make the runners feel comfortable and can even relieve their nervous tension," Cai said.