Weather center to report accurate temperatures

Meteorological departments will make weather forecasts accurately, and will not report false temperatures lower than the actual one, People’s Daily reported Friday, citing authorities.

As the summer heat is prolonged in some regions in China, some people felt the temperature was higher than what was reported, and questioned whether meteorological centers downplayed the weather to prevent people from quitting work on hot days.

Sun Jun, a senior forecaster at the National Meteorological Center, gave an interview on Thursday with People’s Daily.

China’s meteorological centers measure temperatures with a thermometer screen 1.5 meters above the ground at open grasslands, an international practice requested by the World Meteorological Organization. But the temperature 1.5 meters above asphalt or cement that has been in direct sunlight for hours may be 4-5 degrees (Celsius) higher than that measured on the thermometer screen.

Sun also said high humidity in the air feels hotter than dry weather, and a stuffy room feels hotter than a room with good ventilation. Dark clothing absorbs more heat, too.

Some countries report the air temperature perceived by the human body, which takes wind and air humidity’s influence on people’s perception into consideration, Sun said.