State of China's climate in 2018

ABSTRACT In 2018, the mean temperature in China was 0.54°C above normal, and the annual rainfall was 7% above normal. More typhoons made landfall with severe damage. Low-temperature freezing and snow disasters occurred frequently with extensive losses. In summer, rainstorms occurred frequently with relatively limited damage. Northeast China and Central East China suffered extreme heatwaves. Regional and periodic droughts resulted in slight impacts. Severe convective weather and dust storms were relatively less, but periodic haze influenced air quality and human health. The areas of affected crops, death tolls, direct economic losses were all significantly less than those over the last 5 years. Graphical Abstract