China records warmest October in six decades

China recorded its warmest October average temperature in more than six decades and below-average rainfall for the month, the China Meteorological Administration said on Friday.

Jia Xiaolong, deputy head of the National Climate Center, told a news conference that the average national temperature for October was 12.2 C, which is 1.6 C above the average of previous years.

Most regions in China experienced above-average or near-average temperatures during the month, he said.

Notably, the Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, Tianjin and Liaoning province all reported the highest-ever temperatures recorded for the month.

A total of 140 national meteorological stations saw their maximum daily temperatures break historical records for October.

Average precipitation nationwide for the month was 33.8 millimeters, down 5.2 percent compared with normal years, the administration said.