It's time to switch on the air conditioner and break out the suntan lotion, as meteorologists in Shanghai are calling for high temperatures and scorching sun-shine through the weekend.

The mercury climbed to 33 degrees Celsius yester-day, the hottest day of the summer to date, and only two degrees shy of the record high for the date set in 1987.

Highs should remain above 32 degrees Celsius for the next three days, said Dai Xinpu, chief of the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

"The city's fine weather should remain steady through this week," said Dai.

A few brief summer showers, complete with thunder and lightning, could cool things off a little tomorrow and on Thursday in some areas, Dai added.

This week's average temperature will hover around 24 degrees Celsius, one or two degrees higher than usual, setting the stage for one of the hottest summers in recent history, with highs expected to top 35 degrees Celsius on 15 days.

( eastday.com June 5, 2002)