Weather in Hong Kong to swing from mild to chilly over Christmas holidays
Observatory predicts high of 24 on Christmas Eve, followed by a nine-degree dip by Boxing Day
The estimated high temperature of 24 degrees on Christmas Eve would be distinctly higher than any reading recorded in the last three decades. Between 1981 and 2010, the average high for December 24 was around 19 degrees.
“A humid easterly airstream” would continue to affect the southern China coast in the next couple of days, said a statement on the Observatory’s website.
READ MORE: Hong Kong gets first cold weather warning of winter
However, a northeast monsoon would soon bring cool weather following Christmas Eve, as the high temperature was expected to be 21 degrees on December 25 and only 18 degrees on December 26. Next week was predicted to remain cool with temperatures staying in the teens.
Today was the winter solstice, or dongzhi, a traditional Chinese festival in the lunar calendar marking the end of harvest season and the start of winter, when temperatures would normally drop steadily.
Dating back centuries and second only to lunar new year as a holiday of importance, dongzhi was long viewed as the starting date to calculate sun readings and thus crucial to determining farming periods.
Also by tradition, 81 days after dongzhi would signal the start of spring.
Per custom, many throughout the country were set to celebrate dongzhi by finishing work early tonight and sharing a hearty meal with their family.