From oven to icebox

Hechi’s residents experienced an unexpected climate reversal last week.

Since March 30, Hechi’s temperature has rapidly increased, with an average over 30 C and peaking at 34 C on April 3. According to Liu Wanjie, director of Hechi’s Meteorological Observatory, the temperature during the Tomb-sweeping Festival this year in Hechi was close to the highest record since 1960 with a strong warm-core cyclone. Not only Hechi, but also other regions in Guangxi as well as Chongqing, Guizhou and Yunnan all turned into a “steamer”.

However, Nandan county experienced a hailstorm on April 6 and the temperature suddenly fell to 11.6 C. Surprisingly, the temperature in Donglan county stayed at 28.8 C the same day, leaving Hechi half winter and half summer. On April 7, counties and districts in Hechi all suffered a temperature drop, with a reduction degree from 8 C to 12 C.

Nandan county suffers a hailstorm on April 6. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

The big hailstones in Nandan on April 6 [Photo/Hechi Daily]

On April 6, a stream of cold air influenced the east region of Hechi. The hail formed at the junction of Nandan and Tian’e counties. Because of the severe convection weather, most villages and towns in Nandan also experienced thunderstorms and strong wind. Rough estimates showed that more than 4,000 people in 14 villages suffered by 11:00 am on April 7. Total economic losses exceeded three million yuan ($483,300), but there was no injury or loss of life by the hail disaster. The local government has organized disaster recovery work and both production and living conditions of local people have returned to normal.

After sprinkles from April 8 to 10, the weather in Hechi will turn cloudy on April 11 and the temperature will go back to normal by April 12.

Edited by Andrew Ancheta