Asia Heat Wave Echoes North America
Sweltering heat has ushered in the new month from the bustling heart of China to the heart of the Siberian "Pole of Cold."
In the heavily populated North China Plain, Monday marked three-straight days of 100-degree F heat. In Beijing, the temperature hit 100 F, or 38 C, on Saturday, then soared to a blistering 106 F, or 41 C, on Monday.
Compounding the heat woes in the nation's capital city was the unusual overnight warmth. Early on Sunday, for instance, the lowest temperature was 80 F, or about 27 C.
Other major cities suffering serious heat to at least 100 F on Monday were Tangshan and Tianjin. At Shijiazhuang, respective highs Saturday through Monday were 103 F, 104 F and 105 F, or about 40 C each. Normal high temperature for the time of year is near 90 F.
Far to the north and well away from any major cities, the infamous "Pole of Cold" in northeastern Siberian Russia has, since the first of July, seen some of its hottest weather on record.
Lying a little north of the Arctic Circle, Verkhoyansk, which holds the notoriety of having reached 90 degrees below zero F, or -68 C, reached beyond the 90-degree F mark on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. What is more, Monday's high of 96 F, or 35.3 C, was the highest temperature here for at least 17 years.
Highest on record in Verkhoyansk is 99 F, or 37.3 C, thereby giving this remarkable site an absolute historic temperature range or 189 F, or 105 C.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 86° | Thermal, CA |
| Low | -9° | Warroad, MN |
| Precip | 0.85" | Quillayute, WA |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
This Day In Weather History
East (1899)
evere Cold Wave
MIDWEST (1960)
nowstorm and High Winds
Rough Weather
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