In 2001(from December 2000 to November 2001), the annual precipitation was less and the annual temperature was higher than normal in most areas of China. The annual precipitation in China was 23mm less than normal. There was precipitation less than normal in several areas through the year. From Northeast China to region between the Yangtze River and Huaihe River, and Jianghan region suffered droughts in varying degrees during Spring, Summer and Autumn. Meanwhile, most areas of China experienced continuous unusual warm conditions. The annual temperature in China was 1℃ above normal. It was the third warm year following 1998 and 1999 in the past 40 years.

        During 2001, the meteorological disasters occurred frequently and led to the loss of national economy and people's life and property in various degrees. Especially the drought seriously influenced the agricultural production. In addition, typhoons, sandstorms and summer hot also caused evident influences. Meanwhile, the floods, hails, snow and freeze disaster were relatively slighter. On the whole, the climate in 2001 belongs to the serious disaster condition as for the national agricultural production.