China experiences higher temperature, less sand storms in 2005
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-31 19:00

China experienced higher temperature, less sand storms and serious typhoons in 2005, according to China Meteorological Administration (CMA) on Saturday.

The temperature averaged 9.5 degrees Celsius by December 28, 2005, about 0.6 degrees Celsius higher than the temperature in previous years. The temperature ranked the seventh highest in recorded history since 1951, said Xiao Fengjin, a meteorologist with the National Climate Center under the CMA.

The Summer temperature set a record high since 1951, and the temperature in southern China experienced sharp increase in Autumn, Xiao said.

Statistics show this year saw the least sand storms in the past half century. China had nine sand storms this year, far less than the 15 storms of previous year.

The country experienced serious typhoons in 2005. About eight typhoons or tropical storms landed on China. Six tropical cyclones had the maximum speed of 45 meters per second at the cyclone centers, rather rare in about half a century, Xiao said.

The country also reported flooding, rainstorms, hurricanes, hailing, frost, droughts and blizzards in the past year.