Driest day in March for two decades

The dry monsoon winds of winter outdid themselves yesterday, driving relative humidity to the lowest level in more than two decades for a March day.

At 1pm the hourly reading hit 23 per cent at the Observatory headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui - a record low for the month since 1986.

In fact, since 1961, that level of dryness has only been surpassed twice in March.

It dipped to 16 per cent on March 4, 1977, and 22 per cent on March 3, 1984.

Yesterday's 23 per cent reading was matched on March 6, 1972, and March 2 and 3, 1986.

Citywide, readings started to drop from 8am yesterday, hitting the lowest point early in the afternoon.