China lifts 12-day high temperature alert

China's top meteorological authority lifted the high temperature alert on Wednesday evening, after such alerts had been in effect for 12 consecutive days.

The National Meteorological Center lifted the yellow alert for high temperature on Wednesday, the least severe in the three-tier warning system, expecting a notable reduction in both the scope and intensity of heat waves in northern China.

However, on Wednesday, the highest daily temperature in areas of southeastern Beijing, central and southern Hebei, western Shandong, central and northern Henan, northern Anhui, Southern Xinjiang Basin and Turpan region, and the Fenwei Plain (an area that comprises parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan) may still surpass 35 C, with certain areas experiencing temperatures over 38 C, the center said.

A continental high-pressure ridge and the eastward movement of a warm air mass have resulted in continuous high temperatures in northern China since June 8 and caused drought disasters in multiple regions.

The National Meteorological Center issued high temperature alerts from June 7 evening to Wednesday morning. From June 9 to June 13, the third-highest yellow alerts were elevated to the second-highest orange alerts.