People brave heavy rain in Beijing on July 12, 2021. (ZOU HONG / CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING - China's national average temperature in September was the highest since 1961, while rainfall in north China hit a record high, according to the National Climate Center.

Compared to previous years, the national average reading from Sept 1 to 28 was 1.5 degrees Celsius higher, the center said.

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The precipitation level across the country in September was the fourth highest since 1961, up 29.7 percent compared to the same period in normal years.

September rainfall in the northern regions was approximately 1.1 times more than normal, surging to a record high in history, the center added.

During the meteorological summer which ended in August, rainfall in the northern regions hit 421.4 mm, 33.9 percent above average. It is also the most since 1995.

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