On October 18, reporters in Hangzhou noted that Zhejiang province experienced sweltering weather, with temperatures in many areas soaring above 30°C. Notably, Yuhang recorded a high of 34.4°C and Songyang reached 34.0°C, nearing the extreme heat threshold.

As temperatures rose across the region that morning, a cold front had already reached central areas of Anhui and Jiangsu. The rapid convergence of cold and warm air led to convective weather that intensified faster in Zhejiang. By the afternoon, various locations in the province reported scattered thunderstorms, bringing lightning, heavy rainfall, and the potential for showers to persist through the night.

By the afternoon of the same day, weather conditions in Hangzhou had turned overcast, as captured in a photograph by reporter Wang Yifei. According to the Zhejiang Provincial Meteorological Service, the day’s heat was merely a final “struggle” before the arrival of colder air. After the cold front moved into northern Zhejiang that evening, temperatures across the entire province were expected to drop significantly by the next day, with highs barely reaching above 20°C, ushering in a noticeable chill.

Looking ahead to the next week, forecasters warned of continued overcast and rainy conditions with fluctuating temperatures. Additionally, another cold front is anticipated to impact the province on the 22nd, bringing further temperature declines and the possibility of scattered showers or thunderstorms.

Moreover, the Zhejiang Marine Monitoring and Forecast Center issued a blue alert for waves at 4 PM on the 18th. Due to the cold air influence, light to moderate waves of 0.8 to 1.4 meters were expected in the coastal waters near Zhoushan and Ningbo from the night of the 18th into the daytime on the 19th, with stronger waves increasing to 2.0 to 3.0 meters anticipated by the afternoon of the 19th.