Women in Shenzhen wear full sun-protective gear Wednesday to brave a scorching heatwave as the city’s first heat alert of the year arrived 11 days earlier than in 2025. A yellow heat warning — the lowest level in a three-tier system — was expected to remain in effect Thursday and Friday, with temperatures soaring to a high of 37°C in some areas. Meteorologists attribute the early heatwave to El Niño and a powerful subtropical high-pressure system. Relief is expected Saturday with the arrival of thunderstorms, according to local weather forecast.Chen Yu