Hongkongers told to wrap up as temperature set to plummet following one of warmest Decembers on record
- Sunday was warmest dahan – the traditional Chinese ‘day of major coldness’ – in 50 years
- Observatory says northeast monsoon means temperatures over southern China will fall significantly on Monday and Tuesday
The temperature in Hong Kong could drop to a chilly 12 degrees Celsius (53.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, after the city enjoyed the warmest dahan – the traditional Chinese “day of major coldness” – in 50 years on Sunday.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the highest temperature recorded on Sunday at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui was 23.4 degrees – making it the fourth-warmest dahan since records began.
Dahan, or “major coldness”, is the last of 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar.
The terms, which helped farmers plan agricultural work, begin with Lichun, or “start of spring” in early February. Dahan usually falls between January 19 and 21.
Dr Ng Yin-lam, a scientific officer at the Observatory, said the sunshine combined with a weakening easterly airstream had brought Sunday’s warm weather.
“It was not directly related to global warming,” Ng said. “More specifically, airstreams slow down the increase in ground temperature. On the contrary, a weakening airstream and sunny weather are favourable for a warm day.”