HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Observatory reported a sweltering temperature of 33.6 degrees Celsius (92.5 Fahrenheit) on Monday, marking the hottest October day on record in the city.
The reading, recorded at the observatory’s headquarters by 12:30 pm local time, surpassed the previous October high of 33.5C set on October 16, 1939 since records began in 1884. It’s the latest in a string of unseasonably hot weather that has gripped Hong Kong in recent weeks.
“This latest bout of very hot weather is highly unusual for this time of year,” said Wong Wai-kin, a senior weather forecaster at the observatory. “We’re talking about temperatures more typical of the peak of summer, not mid-autumn.”
The scorching conditions are being driven by a persistent easterly airstream affecting the coast of Guangdong province, of which Hong Kong is a part. Forecasters say the winds will remain fresh to strong over the next couple of days.
A dry northeast monsoon is also expected to sweep into southern China on Tuesday, bringing generally fine weather through the middle of next week, though mornings and nights may be slightly cooler with a larger day-night temperature gap.
The weather office said a broad area of low pressure over the western North Pacific will gradually develop and move towards the seas east of the Philippines in the coming days. But the observatory cautioned that the system’s subsequent trajectory remains uncertain.
For now, Hong Kong residents are being advised to stay hydrated and limit time spent outdoors as the city grapples with this unusual October heatwave.
“We’re urging the public to take appropriate precautions,” Wong said. “These are not the kind of temperatures you’d normally expect at this time of the year.”
