China’s weather authority warns of high summer temperatures over next few months

China’s weather authority said on Thursday that it expects temperatures in most areas across China to be relatively high over the next few months, signaling another summer of extreme heat.

China is already in the midst of harsh weather as torrential rains and floods batter the south and temperatures break records in several parts of the north and central China, threatening crops and putting pressure on electricity grids.

 The country has experienced unusually warm weather for much of the year, with average temperatures from March to May at their highest since records began in 1961, according to official data.