Hot Summer Climate in Beijing
How Will Weather Affect 2008 Summer Olympics in China’s Capital City
Expect hot and humid weather for the Beijing Summer Olympics. The Chinese government aims to keep Beijing dry during the Olympics Games by using weather modifications.
What Weather to Expect at 2008 Olympics
When the 2008 Summer Olympic Games commence in Beijing China on August 8th, participants and visitors can expect hot, humid weather. Beijing experiences hot summers due to warm and humid monsoon winds from the southeast. High heat and humidity can be expected for summer months, according to China’s climate data. This is especially true in August when the average high temperature is 85 F (30 C) and average morning humidity hovers at 90 percent.
Olympics officials will be warning visitors of the danger of heat stroke, issuing a heat stroke index during the hottest days. As the Beijing Olympics run from August 8-24, extremely high temperatures could occur. In May 2007, Beijing recorded its highest temperature since 1951, when the city hit 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 C). Temperatures will be closely monitored by various Automatic Weather Stations around Beijing. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory and meteorologists in China aim to predict accurate weather forecasts for the Games.
Wet weather can also be expected, as climate data demonstrates the Beijing area receives 40 to 60 percent of its annual precipitation during the summer, from June through August. Statistics point to an average 35 percent chance of rain for each day in August. The average precipitation in Beijing for August is 5.55 inches. Yet, the Chinese government aims to make sure visitors and participants to the Beijing Olympics will not see rain.
China’s Weather Modification Plans
The Chinese government plans to prevent rain in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics by using weather modification methods. By firing rockets into the atmosphere, containing pellets of silver iodide and dry ice, they aim to destroy rain clouds. Meteorologists will be used to track clouds, evaluating them for their rain potential. Before the clouds reach Beijing, the Chinese will fire these rockets towards the clouds, in order to produce rain, keeping Beijing dry (USAToday, 2008). This method of weather modification is called cloud seeding.
Cloud Seeding: Weather Modification Method
The method of using cloud seeding to modify or control weather was developed during the 1950s in the United States, according to the Weather Modification Association. After it was abandoned by America because its results were questionable, the Chinese began to research and use cloud seeding practices. Used to produce rain in drought areas and for farmers, cloud seeding is mainly used in Northern China. The Chinese government is investing large amounts of money in cloud seeding and weather predictions to make sure the Beijing Olympics are rain-free.
