National Meteorological Center: During the Qingming holiday, heavy rain will affect certain sections of multiple highways.

(Original title: National Meteorological Center responds to Daily Economic News: During the Qingming holiday, multiple sections of highways in some areas will see heavy rain)

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

At the briefing, in response to questions from a reporter from the Daily Economic News (hereinafter referred to as the Yicai reporter) about strong convective weather occurring in multiple places in southern China in recent days, Zhang Xiaoling, chief engineer of the National Meteorological Center, said that over the next 10 days (April 2–11), southern regions are still expected to experience three rounds of relatively strong rainfall and convective weather processes.

Xinhua News Agency photo

At the same time, Zhang Xiaoling added that during the Qingming holiday (April 4–6), on certain sections of expressways such as Jinggangao, Dagong, Ergong, Jiguang, and Xaron in the Jinghan, Jiangnan, South China regions, as well as in areas including eastern Chongqing and eastern Guizhou, weather impacts from moderate to heavy rain, locally heavy rain, or even torrential rain are expected. The roads may become slippery and the risk of water accumulation is high.

More Rainfall and Convection in Southern China

In March, the national average precipitation was 35.3 millimeters, 19.6% higher than the same period in previous years. Rainfall in many provinces in southern China has been frequent. In the eastern parts of the Southwest region and much of Jiangnan, the number of rainy days was 15–20 days; in central Hunan and other areas, it exceeded 20 days. Prolonged cloudy and rainy weather has caused some farmland soils to become overly wet, affecting rapeseed flowering and pollination, early rice sowing and seedling raising, and the growth of facility-grown vegetables and fruits, which is unfavorable for spring tea harvesting. Starting in mid-March, precipitation gradually increased in the western parts of the Southwest region, and earlier meteorological drought in the region has been notably alleviated; currently, only some localized areas in Guangxi and elsewhere have meteorological drought at moderate levels or above.

How long will recent periods of strong rainfall and strong convective weather in southern China last, and how should the public prepare for prevention?

In response to the above question from the Yicai reporter, Zhang Xiaoling said that after entering April, because cold air remains relatively active while warm and humid air in southern China has significantly strengthened, the frequent convergence of cold and warm airflows has caused rainfall and convective processes to intensify markedly compared with earlier periods. It is now entering a season with frequent rainfall and convection. Over the next 10 days (April 2–11), southern regions are still expected to experience three rounds of relatively strong rainfall and convective weather processes.

Zhang Xiaoling further pointed out that the public needs to closely monitor forecast and early warning information released by meteorological authorities 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. In mountainous areas, torrential rain and short-duration heavy precipitation can easily trigger secondary disasters such as flash floods and landslides. In urban areas, it may also lead to urban waterlogging from heavy rainfall. The public should stay away from dangerous areas and low-lying places as much as possible. Meanwhile, thunderstorms with strong winds and tornadoes can cause tree breakage and the falling of advertising signs, and may even result in building collapse or vessel capsizing. The public should stop working at heights and on waterways, and stay away from advertising signs, temporary structures, and dangerous buildings. When severe thunderstorms occur, the public should avoid staying in open areas, do not stay at high places, and try to take shelter indoors or in vehicles. Hailstorms often cause widespread losses to agriculture and animal husbandry, and in severe cases may also lead to casualties; relevant preventive preparations are needed.

In addition, Zhang Xiaoling also said that during the Qingming holiday, on some sections of expressways such as Jingha, Hedai, and Huiwu in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and the northeastern part of Liaoning, weather impacts from light to moderate snow or rain-snow mix, and locally heavy to blizzard conditions are expected, with a high risk of snow on the road surface and icing. For certain sections of expressways such as Jinggangao, Dagong, Ergong, Jiguang, and Xaron in the Jinghan, Jiangnan, South China regions, as well as in areas including eastern Chongqing and eastern Guizhou, impacts from moderate to heavy rain, locally heavy rain, or even torrential rain are expected, with the road surface potentially becoming slippery and the risk of water accumulation high.

National Pollen Concentration Forecast Released

On March 24, 2026, the National Health Commission and the China Meteorological Administration jointly released the first national pollen concentration forecast service briefing. As the Yicai reporter learned, this is the first pollen concentration forecast service product nationwide in China.

Chen Hui, deputy director of the Public Meteorological Service Center of the China Meteorological Administration, said that as global climate change and accelerating urbanization continue, respiratory allergies induced by pollen have become a global health challenge, and China’s pollen allergy problem is also becoming increasingly severe. Effective public-facing guidance and prevention recommendations targeting pollen allergies can not only help people take preventive measures in advance, reduce the occurrence of allergic diseases and lessen the severity of symptom flare-ups, but can also effectively help prevent extreme public health events such as thunderstorm asthma. It is of vital importance for truly easing the social burden of diseases and improving the health level and quality of life of the people.

Chen Hui said: “During the Qingming holiday, northern China is still in a high-impact period for pollen allergies. The public can follow the weekly ‘National Pollen Concentration Forecast Service Briefing’ to plan their Qingming travel.”

Chen Hui further noted that according to the latest forecast, from April 1 to 5, temperatures in most of northern China will be higher than usual, with mostly clear to partly cloudy weather, which is conducive to the generation and spread of pollen. In southern China, there will be precipitation processes, which will suppress pollen transmission to a certain extent. From April 1 to 3, pollen concentration in most of North China, as well as in most of Shandong, western Henan, and the central-southern parts of Shaanxi, will be at a high level (level 4); in some areas, pollen concentration will be at a very high level (level 5). From April 4 to 5, pollen concentration in most areas of North China, as well as in Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi, will be at a high level (level 4), and in some areas it will be at a very high level (level 5). In spring, the main sensitizing allergens are pollen from woody plants. Patients who show clear symptoms of pollen allergy should seek medical care promptly and receive standardized treatment.