Shanghai has made detailed plans on weather forecasting for World Expo, Tang Xu, director of the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, said yesterday.

　　Speaking during an online interview on eastday.com, Tang said that before the Expo begins, the bureau will have provided organisers with an analysis of Shanghai's general climate, including air quality as well as making forecasts of hot days, storms, typhoons, fog and other bad weather.

　　The bureau will also offer solutions on how to cope with extreme weather conditions and will go into such detail as the risk each pavilion has of being struck by lightning.

　　Also, it will measure the influence the construction of the Expo site will have on climate, to prevent it from causing pollution.

　　During the Expo, the bureau will provide continuous weather forecasts covering the whole Yangtze Delta Region. A handbook will be published to introduce Shanghai's general climate, how to stay comfortable and the way to use weather services.

　　It will also collaborate closely with organisations such as airports, the public transportation bureau, travel agencies and many others, to provide the specialised weather services they need.

　　"Weather conditions and the quality of weather services are very important for the success of the Expo, which will last for a long time, cover a large area and attract crowds of visitors," said Tang, who answered questions from more than 100 netizens.

　　Last month, Shanghai launched the first of 18 weather monitoring facilities at the top of the Expo Mansion, which signaled the start of improved weather services for the Expo.