China records markedly warm and wet climate conditions in 2025

China experienced markedly warm and wet climate conditions in 2025, with the national average temperature tying for the highest on record and extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense, according to the China Climate Bulletin (2025) released recently.

The bulletin shows that China's annual average temperature reached 10.9 C in 2025, standing 1 C above the 1991-2020 average. The figure matched that of 2024, making the two years the warmest since nationwide meteorological records began in 1951. The number of high-temperature days also reached a record high.

From late June to early September, large swaths of central and eastern China experienced prolonged and widespread heat waves. The intensity of the high-temperature days ranked as the fourth strongest since 1961, the report said.

Precipitation levels were also above normal. The country's average annual rainfall was 4.5 percent higher than the long-term average. During the summer, frequent rainstorms triggered severe flooding in parts of northern China, particularly from late July to early August.

Gao Rong, deputy director of the National Climate Center, said rainfall during the rainy season in North China reached historic highs both in total volume and duration, while western China recorded its heaviest autumn rains on record.

Typhoon activity was also more active than usual, with both the number of typhoons generated and those making landfall exceeding the average. Between September and October, five consecutive typhoons made landfall in or affected southern China, he said.

Meteorological drought conditions were generally mild nationwide, but regional and seasonal droughts were evident. Parts of southern China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River experienced consecutive winter and spring droughts, according to the bulletin.

Cold air activities were relatively light overall, though cold wave events were more frequent than usual. The number of strong wind days reached the highest level since 1991. Sandstorm activity increased in spring, and the first sandstorm event occurred later than usual, it added.

"China's complex and highly variable weather patterns in 2025 were the result of multiple atmospheric and oceanic factors interacting across different time scales," Gao said, noting the early northward movement and subsequent retreat of the subtropical high, a strong East Asian summer monsoon, and intensified rainstorms in North and Northeast China.

The heating-related energy consumption in most northern provinces during winter declined last year, while hotter summers led to increased demand for cooling across much of the country.

Vegetation growth during the growing season reached its highest level for the same period this century, with particularly strong growth observed in western Northeast China and central and eastern parts of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Compiled by the China Meteorological Administration and the National Climate Center, the bulletin is an authoritative annual report on national climate conditions, major weather and climate events, and their impacts on economic and social development. Since its launch in 1994, it has served as an important reference for government decision-making and climate science education, according to the meteorological administration.