Wet weather to bring plum rains and mosquitoes

Warm and humid days will continue as plum rain season draws near, forecasters say.

Today is expected to be cloudy, with the high temperature reaching 29 degrees Celsius. Light ozone pollution may occur this afternoon.

From tomorrow to Sunday, the forecast calls for overcast to cloudy skies with occasional showers. Highs will reach 28 degrees. Monday will bring a break from the rain, according to Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

Yesterday also marked the start of mangzhong, a period in the Chinese calender associated with hot and humid days. The period lasts about two weeks, during which temperatures usually average 23.9 degrees. Highs during mangzhong could reach up to 33 degrees.

Plum rain season is expected to start during mangzhong this year. Plum rains usually begin on June 17 but are expected to fall earlier this year.

The warm, damp weather conditions are likely to produce a surge in mosquitoes, as well as increased risk of exposure to dengue fever, according to the city’s disease prevention and control center.

In 2017, Shanghai had just one reported case of dengue fever, but the nearby Hangzhou reported more than 1,000 cases.

This year, the city’s annual campaign to eradicate mosquitoes will begin this month and run until October. The campaign involves spraying pesticide and removing standing water from public places.