According to a report from the Hubei Meteorological Bureau, a significant weather change is expected across Hubei Province from the evening of October 16 to October 17 as warm and cold air systems converge. The region will experience moderate to heavy rainfall moving from west to east, with local downpours anticipated in areas such as eastern Jingzhou, Xianning, and Huanggang. This rainfall is expected to alleviate drought conditions, and farmers are advised to prepare for both the timely sowing of crops and the management of water resources in drought-stricken areas.
Since late September, Hubei has recorded an average rainfall of only 19.5 millimeters, with many regions experiencing precipitation levels that are 50% to 100% below the norm for this time of year. Average temperatures have also been higher, exceeding the typical levels by 1.3 degrees Celsius. The meteorological drought monitoring conducted on October 11 revealed that much of central and eastern Hubei is facing moderate to severe drought conditions, particularly in areas like southern Jingmen, most of Xiangyang, the majority of Wuhan, western Ezhou, western Huanggang, and northern Xianning, where exceptional drought levels have been recorded.
The upcoming rain on October 16 and 17 is expected to provide much-needed moisture. Weather forecasts indicate another round of light to moderate rain, with localized heavy rain, occurring again from October 19 to 21. Meteorological experts believe that these two weather events will significantly improve soil moisture levels, benefiting the autumn sowing of crops such as rapeseed and wheat.
Regarding temperatures, most of Hubei will see daytime highs ranging from 25°C to 29°C on October 16, with some areas in northeastern Ezhou and Yichang approaching 30°C. However, from the evening of October 18 to October 20, a new wave of strong cold air will bring strong winds and a notable temperature drop of 5°C to 9°C. The forecast predicts that from October 21 to 22, minimum temperatures will range from 6°C to 10°C in the northern parts of Hubei and from 10°C to 13°C in the south. The public is reminded to prepare warm clothing to ward off the possibility of catching a cold.
