The country's leading meteorologist warned on Friday that China will witness more extreme weather conditions this year as a result of global warming.

Zheng Guoguang, head of the China Meteorological Administration, said drills to deal with emergencies caused by weather disasters will be organized this year, as detailed in the administration's work plan for 2008.

Meteorologists will also try to raise the accuracy of weather forecasting this year, he said.

Last year, the weather forecast accuracy rate for precipitation was raised by 2.1 percent, and for rainstorms by 1.9 percent, compared with 2006, he said.

The forecasting of sandstorms, heat waves and fog also improved last year.

Zheng said the administration will take steps this year to help provincial-level meteorological administrations study the impact of climate change.

The nationwide meteorological system will start impact assessments of key projects, agriculture, water, energy, transportation, the ecosystem, human health, urbanization and industrialization.

It will also conduct an investigation of the country's wind power and solar energy resources.

On the subject of the Olympics, Zheng said the administration has been preparing its weather services since 2001.

"We are ready to face all weather conditions," he said.

(China Daily January 12, 2008)