Beijing temperatures near record as extreme heat sweeps northern China

Beijing on Thursday appeared to log its hottest June temperature since reliable records began, as swathes of northern China sweltered in 40-degree heat.  At the Nanjiao weather station in southern Beijing, considered a benchmark for temperatures in the capital, the mercury hit 41.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday. 

The figure is half a degree higher than the station's previous record of 40.6 C taken in June 1961. Along Beijing's canals, residents sought respite from the searing heat by swimming and splashing around in the water. 

Other weather stations around the capital chalked up even higher temperatures, with Tanghekou in northern Beijing notching 41.8 C early Thursday afternoon, becoming the hottest place in the country. Authority issued an orange warning for extreme heat and urged people to avoid exercising outdoors for long periods and take effective measures to shield from the sun.