High ocean temperatures worry scientists 0:35

(CNN) — The Chinese city of Shanghai on Monday recorded the highest May temperature in more than 100 years, with a record 36.1 degrees Celsius (nearly 97 degrees Fahrenheit).

The previous record, 35.7 degrees Celsius (96.3 degrees Fahrenheit) was first recorded in May 1876 and has only been reached three other times since, including 1903, 1915 and 2018, state media reported.

It is unknown when the city began recording its temperatures.

Monday's record-breaking heatwave was recorded in the city's Xuhui district, state media CCTV reported, citing the Shanghai Meteorological Department.

Earlier in the day, the Shanghai Meteorological Department issued its first high temperature alert of the year, as temperatures in the city topped 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for three consecutive days.

Shanghai, China.

This comes after a heatwave that hit China last July, and during which residents turned to bomb shelters and public fountains to keep cool.

In all of 2022, Shanghai recorded 50 days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.

The current temperature alert level in Shanghai is yellow, the lowest of the three levels.

The orange alert will go into effect if the maximum temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius in 24 hours, and the red one will mean that temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours.

• They warn that the global average temperature will increase 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 5 years

This comes amid a series of record-breaking temperatures across Asia; punctually registered in Vietnam, Laos and the capital of Thailand earlier this month. Experts say the heat has been exacerbated by an intense smog season that has sent pollution levels soaring.

Scientists have long warned that heat waves will worsen as the effects of the man-made climate crisis accelerate.

The temperature of China's coastal waters has also risen sharply due to global warming, and sea level rise has also accelerated, Wang Hua, head of the marine forecasting and monitoring department at China's Ministry of Natural Resources, said last month.

Shanghai, the most developed and wealthy city in the country, is located on the eastern coast.

Over the past four decades, rising sea levels along China's coast have led to long-term effects, such as erosion of coastal ecosystems and loss of marshes. It has also affected groundwater supply and increased damage from storms, flooding and salty tidal intrusion, Wang said.

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