Staying cool as dog days arrive

The dog days of summer are here and Shanghai will soon sizzle at temperatures reaching 35 degrees, weather authorities say.

Today marks the start of sanfu, the hottest period of summer in the Chinese lunar calendar. The period will last 40 days this year, according to Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

Skies will be mostly clear from Monday to Friday, with the mercury hitting 34 to 35 degrees, forecasters say. An easterly-moving weather system could bring scattered rains to the city over the weekend.

Three tropical disturbances have developed over the northern South China Sea and eastern Philippine Sea. They may become typhoons and affect China in the next few days, weather authority said.

It is estimated that the city will have more sweltering days and typhoons than usual between June 1 and September 30. During this period, downtown Xujiahui is expected to have 25 to 31 “high temperature days,” with the mercury hitting 35 degrees or higher.

This is at least 10 days more than average.

This year Shanghai has had four “high temperature days” — two in May and two in June — according to meteorological data.