National Meteorological Center responds to Yijing: It is expected that in the next 10 days, southern regions will experience three more periods of heavy rainfall and convective weather.

Each Daily reporter | Li Biao Each Daily editor | Yang Yi

On April 1, the China Meteorological Administration held its April 2026 press conference. Wang Yawei, spokesperson of the China Meteorological Administration and director of the Department of Disaster Risk Reduction Services, hosted the briefing.

At the press conference, in response to a question from a reporter of The Daily Economic News (hereinafter referred to as a Daily Economic News reporter) about the strong convective weather that has recently occurred in multiple parts of southern China, Zhang Xiaoling, chief engineer of the National Meteorological Center, said that over the next 10 days, the southern regions will still experience three rounds of relatively intense rainfall and convective weather processes.

At the same time, Zhang Xiaoling added that during the Qingming holiday (April 4–6), on some sections of expressways such as Jinggangao, Dagong, Ergong, Jiguang, and Xiarong in places including Jianghan, Jiangnan, South China, and the eastern parts of Chongqing and Guizhou, they will be affected by moderate to heavy rain, locally torrential rain, or even extremely heavy rain; the roads will be slippery and the risk of water pooling will be high.

On April 1, the China Meteorological Administration held a press conference at its site for April 2026. Photo by Li Biao, a Daily Economic News reporter

Heavy rain on some expressway sections during the Qingming holiday

In March, the national average precipitation was 35.3 millimeters, 19.6% higher than the same period in previous years. Rainfall was frequent across multiple provinces in the South; in the eastern part of the Southwest and much of Jiangnan, there were 15 to 20 days with precipitation, and in places such as central Hunan there were more than 20 days. Prolonged cloudy and rainy weather has caused some farmland soils to become overly wet, affecting oilseed rape flowering and pollination, early rice sowing and seedling raising, and the growth of protected vegetables and fruits, which is not conducive to picking spring tea. Starting in mid-March, precipitation gradually increased in the western parts of the Southwest; the earlier meteorological drought was clearly alleviated. At present, only localized areas in Guangxi and elsewhere have meteorological drought of moderate or higher levels.

How long will the recent relatively intense rainfall events and strong convective weather conditions in southern China last, and how should the public prepare for prevention?

In response to the above question from the Daily Economic News reporter, Zhang Xiaoling said that after entering April, because cold air remains relatively active and warm, moist air in southern China has significantly strengthened, frequent convergence of cold and warm air flows has led to precipitation and convective processes becoming much stronger than in the earlier period. The situation has started to enter a season when rainfall and convection occur frequently; over the next 10 days, the southern regions are still expected to have three rounds of relatively intense rainfall and convective weather processes.

Zhang Xiaoling further pointed out that the public should closely monitor forecast and warning information issued by meteorological departments and prepare in advance for heavy rainfall and strong convection. If strong rainfall and strong convective weather occur, people should try to avoid outdoor activities. Heavy rain and short-duration intense precipitation can easily trigger secondary disasters such as flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas; in urban areas, they may also cause urban waterlogging due to heavy downpours. The public should keep away from dangerous areas and low-lying places as much as possible. Meanwhile, thunderstorm strong winds and tornadoes can cause trees to break, billboard signs to fall, and may even lead to building collapses and the capsizing of boats. The public should stop working at height and on waterways, and stay away from billboards, temporary structures, and unsafe houses. When severe thunderstorms occur, the public should avoid staying in open areas, not stay at high elevations, and try to take shelter indoors or inside vehicles. Hail weather often causes large-scale losses to agriculture and animal husbandry; in serious cases, it may also lead to casualties, so relevant preventive preparations are needed.

In addition, Zhang Xiaoling also said that during the Qingming holiday (April 4–6), on some expressway sections in places including eastern Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and northeastern Liaoning—such as Jingha, Hedai, and Huiwu—will be affected by light to moderate snow or rain with snow, and locally heavy to blizzard-level snowfall; the risk of snow accumulation on roads and icy conditions will be high. For places including Jianghan, Jiangnan, South China, and the eastern parts of Chongqing and Guizhou, on some expressway sections such as Jinggangao, Dagong, Ergong, Jiguang, and Xiarong, they will be affected by moderate to heavy rain, locally torrential rain, or extremely heavy rain; the roads will be slippery and the risk of water pooling will be high.

The first nationwide pollen concentration forecast product released

On March 24, 2026, the National Health Commission and the China Meteorological Administration jointly released the first issue of nationwide pollen concentration forecast service prompts. As learned by a Daily Economic News reporter, this is our country’s first pollen concentration forecast service product covering the entire nation.

Chen Hui, deputy director of the Public Meteorological Service Center of the China Meteorological Administration, said that with the continuous acceleration of global climate change and urbanization, respiratory allergy caused by pollen has become a global health challenge, and pollen allergy in our country is also becoming increasingly severe. Effective public-facing guidance and prevention recommendations for pollen allergy can not only help people take preventive measures in advance, reduce the occurrence of allergic diseases, and lessen the severity of symptom flares, but can also effectively prevent extreme public health events such as thunderstorm asthma. This is of critical significance for genuinely reducing the disease burden in society and improving the health level and quality of life of the people.

Chen Hui said, “During the Qingming holiday, northern regions will still be in a period of high impact from pollen allergy. The public can follow the once-a-week ‘National Pollen Concentration Forecast Service Prompt’ to plan their Qingming holiday travel.”

Chen Hui further pointed out that according to the latest forecast, over the next week, temperatures in most of northern China will be higher, with mainly sunny to cloudy weather, which is favorable for the generation and spread of pollen. In southern China, precipitation processes will have a certain inhibitory effect on pollen spread. From April 1 to 3, pollen concentrations in most parts of North China and in most of Shandong, western Henan, and the central-southern parts of Shaanxi are at a high level (level 4); in some areas, pollen concentrations are at a very high level (level 5). From April 4 to 5, pollen concentrations in most parts of North China and in most areas such as Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi are at a high level (level 4); in some areas, pollen concentrations are at a very high level (level 5). In spring, the main sensitizing allergens are mainly pollen from woody plants. Patients who show obvious symptoms of pollen allergy should seek medical care promptly and receive standardized treatment.