Wet weather but spring almost here

Rainy days are forecast for much of the week ahead, though temperatures are hotting up, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau said yesterday.

While cloud and rain — though with sunny spells — are forecast for the next few days, lowest temperatures will be above 10 degrees Celsius.

This means that the official start of spring is likely to be announced this week.

Between today and Friday, temperatures should reach at least 17 degrees — hitting 22 degrees on Wednesday.

The Air Quality Index is set to be between 65 and 90 today, indicating moderate pollution, said the Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center.

Recent warmer weather means that March 13 should be announced on Wednesday as the first day of spring in Shanghai.

The first day of spring is the first of five consecutive days when the average temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius. The average date is March 17.