Consistently high temperatures here are increasing the likelihood of sleet or light snow, experts from the local meteorological bureau have said.

The mercury climbed to 39.5 C yesterday, closing in on the record high of 39.6 C first recorded in 1944 and also in 2003. The temperature has surpassed 39 C on four separate days this summer, the most in 49 years.

"With the hot weather continuing, the acute convection of warm and cold air currents may cause sleet, that is, small balls of ice, and also tornados," Zhu Jiadong, chief weatherman at the Shanghai meteorological bureau (SMB) said.

On Monday afternoon, light snow was recorded in Beijing's downtown area near the eastern Third Ring Road. The fall lasted about five minutes while the rest of the capital was being hit by heavy rain, the Beijing Youth Daily said.

This year the subtropical high-pressure areas coming from the Pacific Ocean have been strong and stable, and they have brought long-term hot weather to most parts of eastern China, Zhu told China Daily.

The SMB issued an orange alert for hot weather at 11:02 am yesterday, which usually means the temperature is expected to hit 37 C.

Shanghai has recorded 23 "hot" days (over 35 C) so far this year, almost as many as the 27 recorded in the whole of 2006.

Zhang Hong, an intern at a TV station, told China Daily: "It is so hot everywhere, even the umbrella stand is sizzling. I need to drink at least two or three glasses of water even in the office."

Zhu said: "People should avoid or at least limit their outdoor activities, and it is essential for those who work outdoors to take a break at noon when the weather is at its hottest.

"Air conditioners should be set at 26 or 27 C, to keep people and also help prevent the spread of diseases caused by differences in indoor and outdoor temperatures.

"The hot weather is forecast to last for about another week, but it is unlikely we will see a new record high temperature," Zhu said.

(China Daily August 2, 2007)