Meteorological experts explain the cause of drought in Hubei- higher temperatures and less rainfall

Since August, Hubei Province has been grappling with severe drought conditions. In an interview with Qin Pengcheng, a senior engineer at the Wuhan Regional Climate Center, on October 9, he explained that the primary drivers behind this drought are unusually high temperatures combined with significantly low precipitation levels. He anticipates that these conditions will persist over the next three days, with affected areas likely to expand across much of the Jianghan Plain.

Qin shared some concerning statistics: Hubei has recorded an average rainfall of just 76.7 millimeters since August, which is nearly 70% below the seasonal average and marks the lowest level on record for this time of year. Particularly hard-hit areas include Ezhou, Yingcheng, Shishou, Jianli, Qianjiang, and Anlu, where rainfall has plummeted by over 90%. The average temperature has also been notable, sitting at 27.4°C since August—2.8°C above historical norms—making this one of the hottest periods on record.

The ongoing heat and sunshine have contributed to the development of drought conditions in Hubei since mid-August. By September 29, most regions—except for southern Xining and Huanggang—were reporting at least mild drought levels. Although there was a brief alleviation of drought conditions in western Hubei from September 29 to 30 due to weather changes and artificial rain-making efforts, the central and eastern regions, especially the southern parts of the Jianghan Plain, continue to face severe drought.

Looking ahead, meteorological forecasts indicate continued sunny weather across much of Hubei for the next three days, which will allow the drought to persist. However, after October 12, the province is expected to receive some rainfall, which would be beneficial for soil moisture and autumn crop planting. Qin advises farmers to make the most of the clear weather to promptly harvest their mature autumn crops and prepare their fields for planting. He stresses the need to harness the anticipated rainfall effectively to support timely sowing of vegetables and other crops while also implementing measures to conserve water and maintain soil moisture, ensuring there are no shortages during the planting season.