Just had to share a report from the Shanghai Daily website (English language newspaper in Shanghai):

Heat wave sets another record

(08.16.2010)

"The record-setting heat wave continued yesterday as the temperature hit 39.8 degrees Celsius.  It was the fourth consecutive day with the mercury hitting at least 39 degrees, the first time that's happened since the city began keeping records 137 years ago, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau said.  Today the high will drop to 35 degrees and tomorrow will be 36 degrees, the bureau said. Showers or thunderstorms are possible both days. The bureau's forecast called for a weekly high of 37 degrees. Yesterday was this year's 21st high-temperature day, defined as 35 degrees or above.  The bureau issued an orange heat alert, the second highest of a three-level system, at 7:50am. A yellow thunderstorm alert and a yellow gale alert were issued in the afternoon."

I've also learned that due to the humidity levels, there is also a 'feels-like' temperature gauge.  Today it's 49 degrees!!

The whole situation brings to mind the lyrics from the song 'Summer in the City" by Lovin' Spoonful, "All around, people looking half dead, Walking on the sidewalk, hoter than a match head." 

And it definitely is!