Shanghai Weather App −32°C Forecast Was a Data Error, Officials Confirm

Apple Weather app forecast −32°C in Shanghai for Nov 13. Officials say it was a data glitch; real temps stay in the teens Celsius, no freeze.

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Shanghai’s Weather App Suddenly Forecast −32°C — Then Meteorologists Responded

Shanghai was hit by rain on November 4, but the bigger surprise came from some iPhone weather screens.

Several users reported that Apple’s Weather app was showing temperatures of around −28°C to −32°C for November 13. Similar readings appeared in cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao and parts of Henan.

“Is Shanghai Really Going to Drop to −32°C?”

The topic “iPhone Weather forecast shows a huge temperature difference next Friday” began trending early on November 4.

Some users noticed that the forecast suggested a temperature difference of almost 50°C within a single day. Screenshots quickly spread online, with people joking about stocking up on supplies and building emergency shelters.

The Official Forecast Shows a Different Picture

According to official forecasts, temperatures in many of the affected areas were expected to remain around the teens Celsius, with no sudden shift toward record-breaking cold.

Weather specialists said the strange readings were most likely caused by a data problem inside the app. Possible explanations included an error in processing forecast data, a numerical jump or a mismatch with weather information from another location.

Shanghai Weather Authorities Respond

The official Shanghai weather account responded directly: “According to the report, there will be no major temperature drop next Friday.”

China Weather also commented on November 4: “A minimum temperature of −32°C? There is no such temperature difference. The display has returned to normal.”

The Shanghai Meteorological Service has previously explained that official forecasts are based on data collected by standard observation stations. Mobile weather apps may use different data sources and prediction systems, combining model calculations, automated processing and location-based estimates.

Not the First Major Weather App Error

Earlier this year, the app reportedly showed temperatures close to 50°C in Lin’an, Hangzhou. Local meteorological authorities later confirmed that the reading was caused by an error in the app’s data.

For now, Shanghai is not facing a sudden −32°C freeze. The city’s weather is expected to continue changing between rain and clearer conditions, with noticeable temperature fluctuations in the coming days.

Source: Shanghai media report