Climate of Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
The climate
of Hong Kong
is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate
(Köppen climate classification
Cwa), just short of being a tropical wet-and-dry climate.
Winter starts sunny in December and becomes cloudier towards February.
Spring brings warmer and more humid weather. There is a sharp increase in rainfall around April.
Spring is the cloudiest time of the year, with March and April both averaging only around 100 hours of bright sunshine.
Summer weather is hot, humid and unstable. Thunderstorms and brief showers are common, as well as sunny conditions. August has the highest average rainfall of any month.
Temperatures usually exceed 30°C during the day, which, coupled with a high humidity, can result in an extreme heat index. Extreme heat indices are also caused by continuous sunshine and low breeze, usually last long around July and August, is a result in subtropical high pressure areas. This also occurs before typhoons hitting Hong Kong or nearby regions in the northeast, e.g. Taiwan or Eastern Coast of China, such outbound airstream bring even hotter weather, in addition to dirtier air. Nights are also warm with an average minimum temperature of 26°C.
Hong Kong is frequently hit by typhoons in summer.
Autumn is generally considered as the most pleasant season. Temperatures are still high (20-27°C) while humidity and rainfall are considerably lower. Moreover, autumn is the sunniest season in Hong Kong, with October and November both averaging close to 200 hours of bright sunshine.
amounted to 3343 millimetres (131.6 in), 51 per cent above normal and exceeding the previous record set in 1982.
1998. It was the warmest year since records began in 1884. The annual mean temperature was 24 °C (75.2 °F), 0.2 °C-change higher than the previous record set in 1966. The annual mean daily minimum temperature of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) was also the highest on record.
1999. With an annual mean temperature of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F), 1999 was the third warmest year on record. The monthly mean temperatures for all months except May, August and December were above their respective normal figures.
2000. The year 2000 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) was the tenth highest on record and the mean minimum temperature of 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) was the sixth highest. The annual total rainfall of 2752.3 millimetres (108.4 in) was 24 per cent above normal.
2001. The year 2001 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) was 0.6 °C-change above normal, ranking the sixth highest on record. The mean minimum temperature of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) was the second highest on record. The annual total rainfall of 3091.8 millimetres (121.7 in) also ranked the fourth highest.
2002. The year 2002 was the second warmest year on record. The mean temperature of 23.9 °C (75 °F) was 0.9 °C-change above normal.
2003. The year 2003 was the sixth warmest year since records began in 1884. The mean temperature, 23.6 °C (74.5 °F), was 0.6 °C-change above normal.
2004. Globally, the year 2004 was the fourth warmest year since instrumental temperature record
began in 1861. In Hong Kong, 2004 was the ninth warmest year on record. The annual mean temperature was 23.4 °C (74.1 °F), 0.4 °C-change above normal.
2005. Locally in Hong Kong, 2005 was the third wettest year on record. The total rainfall of 3214.5 millimetres (126.6 in) was 45.2 percent above normal.
2006. Globally, the year 2006 is the sixth warmest year on record. In Hong Kong, it was the eighth warmest year since record began in 1884. The annual mean temperature of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) was 0.5 °C-change higher than normal.
2008. Hong Kong was lashed by a torrential storm on the morning of June 7 which dumped up to 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain including 145.5 mm (5.7 in) between 8am and 9am killing 2 people. The storm also caused traffic delays and dozens of flight delays.
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cwa), just short of being a tropical wet-and-dry climate.
The Four Seasons in Hong Kong
In the winter, the weather is generally cool by local standards, with temperatures hovering between 15°C and 20°C. However, northeast winter monsoons bring frequent cold fronts which can cause the temperature to dip below 10°C, despite Hong Kong's tropical latitude and coastal location. Conversely, warm maritime airstreams also commonly raise the temperature well above 20°C. Temperatures as high as 29°C have been recorded in February.Winter starts sunny in December and becomes cloudier towards February.
Spring brings warmer and more humid weather. There is a sharp increase in rainfall around April.
Spring is the cloudiest time of the year, with March and April both averaging only around 100 hours of bright sunshine.
Summer weather is hot, humid and unstable. Thunderstorms and brief showers are common, as well as sunny conditions. August has the highest average rainfall of any month.
Temperatures usually exceed 30°C during the day, which, coupled with a high humidity, can result in an extreme heat index. Extreme heat indices are also caused by continuous sunshine and low breeze, usually last long around July and August, is a result in subtropical high pressure areas. This also occurs before typhoons hitting Hong Kong or nearby regions in the northeast, e.g. Taiwan or Eastern Coast of China, such outbound airstream bring even hotter weather, in addition to dirtier air. Nights are also warm with an average minimum temperature of 26°C.
Hong Kong is frequently hit by typhoons in summer.
Autumn is generally considered as the most pleasant season. Temperatures are still high (20-27°C) while humidity and rainfall are considerably lower. Moreover, autumn is the sunniest season in Hong Kong, with October and November both averaging close to 200 hours of bright sunshine.
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Mild (10 °C (50 °F)-23 °C (73.4 °F)) |
Warm (17 °C (62.6 °F)-30 °C (86 °F)) |
Generally hot days (30 °C (86 °F)-35 °C (95 °F)) and warm nights (25 °C (77 °F)-30 °C (86 °F)) |
Warm (17 °C (62.6 °F)-30 °C (86 °F)) |
| Pressure |
|
|
Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... |
|
| Relative Humidity | Relative humidity is fairly low but it fluctuates as dry, cool air from Mainland China Mainland China Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and... alternates with warm, moist air from East China Sea over Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... |
Relative humidity begins to rise. | Relative humidity is very high and could reach over 80%. | Relative humidity starts to fall. |
| Precipitation and Condensation |
Mainland China Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and... ). |
Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... . |
|
|
| Wind | Dry, cool, and strong north-easterlies blow from Mainland China Mainland China Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and... |
Warm, light southerlies occasionally alternate with cold, dry north-easterlines | Warm, moist southerlies blow from the sea | Winds become cooler, dries, and easterly |
| Summary | Weather condition generally stable, but anticyclones and cold fronts bring changeable weather at times. |
|
|
Conditions become more stable and pleasant. |
Climate of the past decade
1997. The year 1997 was the wettest year since records began in 1884. Rainfall at the Hong Kong ObservatoryHong Kong Observatory
Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the Hong Kong government. The Observatory forecasts weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards...
amounted to 3343 millimetres (131.6 in), 51 per cent above normal and exceeding the previous record set in 1982.
1998. It was the warmest year since records began in 1884. The annual mean temperature was 24 °C (75.2 °F), 0.2 °C-change higher than the previous record set in 1966. The annual mean daily minimum temperature of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F) was also the highest on record.
1999. With an annual mean temperature of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F), 1999 was the third warmest year on record. The monthly mean temperatures for all months except May, August and December were above their respective normal figures.
2000. The year 2000 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) was the tenth highest on record and the mean minimum temperature of 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) was the sixth highest. The annual total rainfall of 2752.3 millimetres (108.4 in) was 24 per cent above normal.
2001. The year 2001 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) was 0.6 °C-change above normal, ranking the sixth highest on record. The mean minimum temperature of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) was the second highest on record. The annual total rainfall of 3091.8 millimetres (121.7 in) also ranked the fourth highest.
2002. The year 2002 was the second warmest year on record. The mean temperature of 23.9 °C (75 °F) was 0.9 °C-change above normal.
2003. The year 2003 was the sixth warmest year since records began in 1884. The mean temperature, 23.6 °C (74.5 °F), was 0.6 °C-change above normal.
2004. Globally, the year 2004 was the fourth warmest year since instrumental temperature record
Instrumental temperature record
The instrumental temperature record shows fluctuations of the temperature of the global land surface and oceans. This data is collected from several thousand meteorological stations, Antarctic research stations and satellite observations of sea-surface temperature. Currently, the longest-running...
began in 1861. In Hong Kong, 2004 was the ninth warmest year on record. The annual mean temperature was 23.4 °C (74.1 °F), 0.4 °C-change above normal.
2005. Locally in Hong Kong, 2005 was the third wettest year on record. The total rainfall of 3214.5 millimetres (126.6 in) was 45.2 percent above normal.
2006. Globally, the year 2006 is the sixth warmest year on record. In Hong Kong, it was the eighth warmest year since record began in 1884. The annual mean temperature of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) was 0.5 °C-change higher than normal.
2008. Hong Kong was lashed by a torrential storm on the morning of June 7 which dumped up to 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain including 145.5 mm (5.7 in) between 8am and 9am killing 2 people. The storm also caused traffic delays and dozens of flight delays.
See also
- Geography of Hong KongGeography of Hong KongThe geography of Hong Kong primarily consists of three main territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories.The name "Hong Kong", literally meaning "fragrant harbour", is derived from the area around present-day Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island, where fragrant wood products...
- Environment of Hong Kong
- Great Hong Kong Typhoon of 1937Great Hong Kong Typhoon of 1937The Great Hong Kong Typhoon of 1937 was an unnamed typhoon in Hong Kong. It was one of the worst typhoons in Hong Kong history killing 11,000 people.-History:...