Shanghai experiences its hottest day in at least 145 years

The Shanghai weather bureau has issued a 'red alert' as temperatures soared to over 40 degrees Celsius this week.

Shanghai residents and tourists feel the heatwave sweeping the city Source: Reuters

There have been reports of increased numbers of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses after temperatures soared to over 40.9 degrees Celsius or 105 Fahrenheit at 2:00pm on Friday.

Shanghai weather bureau chief forecaster Zhang Ruiyi told the Shanghai Daily, "This summer has been so hot because a subtropical high is strong and stable while typhoons are less and weak.

"Also, wind blowing from the southwest heats up the ground."

The city's weather bureau told the media the heatwave could continue over the coming month.

According to the China Meteorological Administration, the red alert is signalled when temperatures are at more than 40 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. 

Once issued, fire precautions and protective measures for ‘old, weak and young people’ are put into place.

Temperature anomalies in China, 2013 NASA Earth Observatory images by Jesse Allen, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and Terra MODIS data Source: NASA Earth Observatory

Shanghai previously recorded heatwaves in 2013 and in 2003.

At least ten people died in the Shanghai heatwave in 2013 with a total of 40 deaths across China.