Summary of Key Points
In late May this year, many areas in the south (such as Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Changsha) experienced an early onset of severe "sauna weather" conditions—high temperatures combined with high humidity and frequent rainfall, resulting in sensations of heat far exceeding the actual air temperature. In Wuhan, the level of humidity was even more intense than that of the Amazon rainforest. The cause of this phenomenon is related to the subtropical high pressure, the southwest monsoon, and El Niño. Such weather not only makes daily life extremely uncomfortable (for example, in student dormitories) but also threatens the health of outdoor workers (such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion) and affects people's moods (leading to an increase in anxiety disorders). Extreme heat is becoming the new norm, causing economic losses (due to decreased productivity and increased risks for delivery personnel), and humanity must adapt to climate change.
Detailed Analysis
#### 1. Why did this year's "sauna weather" arrive so early and intensely?
Simply put, three factors combined to create these conditions:
- Subtropical high pressure: Starting from May 22nd, a subtropical high pressure acted like a large lid, pressing down on southern China and Jiangnan, causing the air to sink and become increasingly hot.
- Southwest monsoon: Warm, humid air from the Indian Ocean brought excessive moisture, which was trapped by the high pressure, leading to extremely high humidity levels (in Wuhan, it reached 100%).
- El Niño: The world was in an El Niño state in 2026, with abnormally warm Pacific Ocean waters, providing more heat and moisture to the atmosphere, intensifying the heat and humidity, causing these conditions to occur earlier and more severely than usual (the typical rainy season in June occurred in May).
The result? Temperatures of 30°C combined with 95% humidity felt like 40°C; walls and windows were covered in water droplets, and going outside was akin to being "licked by a bull."
#### 2. Is high humidity not only uncomfortable but also harmful to health and mood?
- Health impacts: Outdoor workers are the most affected. A driving school instructor, Danning, frequently had to stop his lessons due to heatstroke, becoming too weak to speak. In March, a 62-year-old farmer in Guangdong was hospitalized with heat exhaustion while working in the fields (a rare occurrence in March). High perceived temperatures (33°C with 65% humidity) are particularly difficult to tolerate compared to dry heat.
- Mood effects: High temperatures can exacerbate anxiety. Danning noticed that his students became more irritable during driving lessons, and instructors spoke more urgently. Online users with anxiety disorders reported increased frequency of episodes; only air-conditioned rooms provided a sense of stability. Research from Fudan University confirms that the harm of humid heat to mental health is greater than that of dry heat, especially at night, as it affects sleep and reduces the ability to regulate emotions.
#### 3. Student dormitories become "steaming chambers"; how do they cope without sufficient air conditioning?
Take Liu Xiang, a university student in Guangzhou, as an example:
- His dormitory is on the top floor, and central air conditioning is only available from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and from 7 PM to 7 AM the next day. He wakes up hotly when the air conditioning turns off at 7 AM.
- Even with both air conditioning and fans, the room still reaches 30°C. Repair attempts (such as cleaning the filters) were ineffective. The school does not allow students to buy individual air conditioners, and small fans and cooling towels are useless in temperatures of 34.7°C.
- He has no choice but to use the library or teaching buildings with air conditioning, but people there also suffer from heatstroke on the way there and back. Even though the school extended air conditioning hours to 8 AM, the long afternoons remain unbearably hot, forcing Liu Xiang to endure this for three to four months.
#### 4. What economic and social consequences does extreme heat bring?
- Economic losses: The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2030, extreme heat will cause an annual loss of $2.4 trillion in productivity due to the inability to carry out outdoor work effectively.
- Risk transfer: A study published in Nature shows that high temperatures have led to a surge in lunch delivery orders, but this shifts the risk of exposure to heat onto delivery personnel, who must work under the scorching sun.
- Social adaptation: People are starting to adjust their behavior (such as staying indoors with air conditioning), but protections for outdoor workers (like heat subsidies and flexible working hours) need to be improved. Experts emphasize that the issue is not whether climate change will occur but whether we can control it within acceptable limits.
#### 5. What can we do in the face of an increasingly hot future?
- Individuals: Wear sun protection and carry herbal remedies like Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui for outdoor work; pay attention to mood changes and try to reduce anxiety during hot weather.
- Societies: Employers should provide shaded areas and cooling equipment for outdoor workers; schools and organizations should adjust air conditioning schedules more flexibly.
- Long-term solutions: Reduce carbon emissions (e.g., by driving less and saving electricity) to slow down global warming, as extreme heat is ultimately caused by climate change.
In conclusion, this year's early onset of "sauna weather" is not an accident but a sign of global warming. We must adapt and respond collectively, both on a personal and societal level, to thrive in a world that is getting hotter.