Although the city theoretically entered the autumn season last Friday, average temperatures have been 3 to 4 degrees higher than usual, forcing air conditioners to be reused and fuelling a new round of wearing colorful T-shirts.

Meteorologists attributed the "hot autumn" to the absence of a cold air mass from northern China. "With a stable high pressure system hovering around Shanghai, cloudy and warm weather might prevail through at least two or three days," said Cao Xiaogang, the chief meteorologist.

Today's high is expected to be 29.1 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degree higher than yesterday. The low could be 21.3 degrees, according to the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

Yesterday's maximum of 29 degrees was only 1 degree short of the record high set in 1950, the bureau reported. "Until last Friday, Shanghai had seen five consecutive days of sub-22 degrees temperatures on average, marking the advent of autumn. However, because of global warming, the season's arrival didn't bring in the cool air," said Cao.

According to the bureau, showers are likely at the weekend because of a possible weak cold front from northern China, and fog may blanket some suburban areas in the morning.

The average temperature this week is likely to be 22 degrees.

(eastday.com October 16, 2002)