He explained that in August, the humidest hour of the day is in the morning, while the hottest hour is in the afternoon.

The bureau's research shows that the relative humidity is 77 percent in August during the past three decades. The "heat index" of the Beijing Olympics is at the same level with Barcelona and better than that of Atlanta and Athens.

Wang said his bureau is capable of providing weather forecasts for Beijing and other co-host cities in six days' advance, as well as hour-by-hour forecasts for Olympic venues.

The Beijing Meteorological Bureau has edited a brochure for weather forecast service, which will be distributed among athletes and coaches.

Beijing will also open an English-speaking hot line weather service during the Olympic Games, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2008)