The nationally averaged temperature in China for 2007 was 1.3℃ above the 1971 -2000 longterm mean, ranking this year as the warmest since 1951. The a veraged precipitation was close to normal, with considerable variability across the country and throughout the year. Huaihe River Valley was hit by severe flood in summer, and consecutive autumn rains occurred in northern China. Widespread droughts extended much of southern China in autumn. The number of landfalling tr opical cyclones was more than normal, mainly occurred in August, September and O ctober. The economic losses caused by tropical cyclones were near normal, while the number of dead was much less than normal. In early spring, Liaoning and Shan dong was slashed by heavy snowstorm. Thunderstorm occurred frequently in some re gions with many dead reports. The number of duststorm days was less than normal.