China marks July the hottest month since 1961

China experienced the hottest month in July, with the highest average temperature since the country released comprehensive data in 1961, China Meteorological Administration said on Thursday.

Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of the National Climate Center, said the national average temperature hit a record 23.2 C last month, 1.1 C higher than the same period in previous years and marking the highest since 1961.

"In July, China encountered a combination of extreme heavy rainfall and extreme high temperatures nationwide," Jia said at a news conference in Beijing.

Southern China faced a widespread and prolonged heat wave in July, with multiple regions experiencing continuous high temperatures for over 20 days.

A total of 59 national meteorological stations recorded daily maximum temperatures that broke or kept historical records.

Temperatures above 41 C were observed in places like Cili in Hunan province, Tongshan in Hubei province, and Lishui in Zhejiang province, he said.

Meanwhile, record hot weather hit the world last month. July 22 was earth's hottest day on record as the global daily average temperature reaching 17.15 C.

The sudden rise in average daily temperature from July 21 to 22 was mainly due to significant higher than average temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in North America and Europe, as well as most of Antarctica, Jia said.

According to forecasts, in August, temperatures in most parts of China will remain higher than in a usual year. Two significant heatwaves will hit in the first half of this month, and the high temperatures are expected to ease in late August, CMA said.