An umbrella might also be useful, as a low pressure trough is expected to bring rain to Shanghai today, according to local meteorologists.

Today's high should drop to 10 degrees Celsius, four degrees lower than yesterday. The low is expected to be 7 degrees, according to the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

Strong winds, from Force 6 to 7 (39 to 61 kilometers per hour), are also expected today, up from yesterday's Force 4 to 5 (20 to 38 kilometers per hour), meteorologists forecast.

The rest of the week will be even worse.

Tomorrow's low is likely to drop to 2 degrees, while the mercury could dip to 1 degrees below zero on Wednesday morning, said Chen Zhi-qiang, the city's chief meteorologist.

Since some of the city's more fashion-conscious residents are already rushing to show off their new Spring wardrobes, meteorologists warned locals to prepare well for the sudden climate change.

" However, the lowest temperatures are unlikely to dip to levels like -4 or -5 degrees," said Chen.

Cloudy weather should prevail through the midweek and the low might rebound to 2 degrees on Thursday. The average temperature this week is expected to be 5 to 6 degrees, the bureau reported.

(eastday.com February 10, 2003)