Hong Kong Observatory issues second frost warning as cold snap continues
Officials on Sunday predicted icy conditions in the northern New Territories overnight, after issuing a frost warning for the first time in two years on Saturday
As the city continued to be gripped by a week-long cold spell, a second frost warning was issued on Sunday afternoon by the Hong Kong Observatory, which said ground frost was likely to occur early on Monday morning in the northern part of the New Territories.
The observatory’s scientific officer Law Siu-fai said the minimum temperature in urban areas on Sunday night and Monday morning would be about 8 degrees Celsius (46.7 Fahrenheit), and two to three degrees lower in the New Territories.
Hong Kong freezes as mercury dips below zero on high ground, but not everyone feeling the cold
There would be moderate northerly winds, with relative humidity ranging from 40 to 60 per cent, and these factors may result in the formation of frost.
After the first frost warning was issued at 7.30pm on Saturday, “frost-chasers” – enthusiasts hunting for snowlike conditions – headed to the city’s highest peak, Tai Mo Shan. However, they were all let down as there was no frost, despite the mercury dipping to about 1.4 degrees.
One “frost-chaser” said he was not expecting much as the humidity was not that high and it was windy, which would reduce the chances of frost forming. Others at the site also expressed their disappointment. Among them was a six-year-old girl celebrating her mother’s birthday with her family.
At Ta Kwu Ling, close to the city’s border with the mainland, the lowest temperature was 6 degrees on Sunday morning, but there was no frost.