By Chinese tradition, fall officially begins after five consecutive days with average temperatures below 22 degrees Celsius.

Since the city began keeping records in the 1850s, autumn has traditional began in late September, but its arrival has now been later than expected for three consecutive years.

"Since a cold mass arrived in the city on Saturday, the daily average temperatures by Wednesday were all below 22 degrees," said Yao Zuqing, of the Shanghai Municipal Meteorological Bureau.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, meteorologists concluded the day's average temperature would be about 20 degrees.

Yao said with the high pressure system being pushed out to sea, Shanghai may see more clouds later this week and temperatures may rise a little.

Today's high is expected to be 26 degrees and the low should be around 19 degrees.

The weekend is expected to be cloudy with a high of 26 degrees on Sunday, local meteorologists said.

( eastday.com October 11, 2002)