Hong Kong Heatwave to Persist Until Mid-Week Before Showers Bring Relief
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong is experiencing an extreme heatwave with temperatures reaching their highest levels since records began in 1884, driven by outer subsiding airflow from Tropical Cyclone Dolphin. The Hong Kong Observatory forecasts that scorching conditions will persist until Wednesday or Thursday before upper-air disturbances bring increasing showers to provide relief. Multiple districts recorded temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius on Monday, prompting authorities to maintain the very hot weather warning and issue an amber heat stress at work warning.
Key Points
- The Hong Kong Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday afternoon, the highest since records began in 1884 .
- Wong Tai Sin registered 35.1 degrees Celsius at 10am on Monday, while Happy Valley recorded 35 degrees Celsius, with nine other districts above 34 degrees .
- Sheung Shui reached 39.8 degrees Celsius, marking its highest temperature on record .
- Cheung Ping, a senior scientific officer at the Observatory, explained that subsiding airflow suppresses cloud formation and brings hotter inland air towards coastal areas .
- Although Tropical Cyclone Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang, its extensive circulation continues to affect Guangdong and Hong Kong .
Why It Matters
The prolonged heatwave poses significant health risks to outdoor workers and vulnerable populations, with the Labour Department's amber heat stress warning indicating potential heat-related illnesses. The extreme temperatures also strain energy infrastructure and highlight the increasing frequency of record-breaking weather events in the region, underscoring the need for enhanced heat action plans and climate adaptation measures .
The prolonged heatwave poses significant health risks to outdoor workers and vulnerable populations, with the Labour Department's amber heat stress warning indicating potential heat-related illnesses. The extreme temperatures also strain energy infrastructure and highlight the increasing frequency of record-breaking weather events in the region, underscoring the need for enhanced heat action plans and climate adaptation measures .