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Hong Kong residents were given their first ‘very hot weather’ warning of the year on Wednesday. Many more are expected in 2021. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong Observatory issues first ‘very hot weather’ warning of 2021, a year likely to be full of them

  • Temperatures expected to soar to 33 degrees Celsius or higher on Wednesday, with authorities urging employers to reduce exposure to sun, offer more breaks
  • The past two years have been among the hottest on record, a streak meteorologists believe is likely to be extended

The Hong Kong Observatory issued its first “very hot weather” warning of the year on Wednesday, with the mercury expected to reach as high as 33 degrees Celsius in urban areas and higher still in the New Territories.

The warning was sent at 6.45am, cautioning residents to be mindful of heatstroke. By 9am, multiple districts including Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Kowloon City had seen temperatures above 30 degrees, while Tai Mei Tuk in Tai Po had hit 33 degrees.

The very hot weather warning is issued when temperatures are expected to reach at least 33 degrees.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) also urged members of the public to stay hydrated, particularly those who had to spend time outdoors.

Health authorities are urging Hongkongers to avoid exposure to the sun amid scorching temperatures. Photo: Felix Wong

“Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system,” a CHP spokesman said.

The health authorities also warned that residents with conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease, along with the elderly and young, were more susceptible to heat-related illnesses and should take extra care.

The Labour Department also urged employers to take precautions such as shifting working arrangements to reduce exposure to the heat, giving employees more breaks, and arranging for shade from the sun if possible.

The Observatory expects the weather to be persistently hot over the next few days, with maximum temperatures of 32 degrees and above.

Earlier this year, Hong Kong meteorologists predicted this summer could for the third year in a row be among the hottest on record, with a strong chance 2021’s annual mean temperature could place it among the top 10 hottest years since records began in 1884.

Last year, the city experienced 47 “very hot” days, with temperatures at 33 degrees or above, the most ever recorded.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: The heat is on
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