The mercury is set to rise above zero degree Celsius this week in Shanghai after it plummeted to its lowest point this winter over the weekend.

Cyclists brave strong wind and cold weather over the weekend as the mercury dropped to its lowest point this winter. The temperature will rise today and rain is likely later in the week.

The average weekly temperature is forecast to be 6 degrees. Rain is likely for several days later this week as a low pressure system will move over the city, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau predicted yesterday.

The daily low in Xujiahui area dropped to minus 3.5 degrees on Saturday morning, the lowest downtown temperature recorded this winter.

It was even colder in the suburbs. It was minus 7.4 degrees in Fengxian District yesterday and minus 5 degrees in several other districts, where there was heavy frost.

Weathermen said it will be milder today with a mix of sun and clouds.

The high is expected to reach 9 degrees, about 4 degrees higher than yesterday. The low will be 0 degrees overnight.

It's going to be even warmer tomorrow with temperatures between 2 and 12 degrees.

Wednesday will see a slight dip as the high is forecast at 10 degrees. But the overnight temperature will be milder at 5 degrees. Meteorologists predicted more clouds on Wednesday.

(Shanghai Daily January 9, 2006)