Hong Kong Observatory says July was city’s hottest month on record
- Weather forecaster says July had highest number of hot nights and days in single month since records began in 1884
- Environmental group calls on government to revise alert system for hot temperatures, create new warnings to prepare for further heatwaves
July was Hong Kong’s hottest month on record, the city’s weather forecaster said on Monday.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the scorching weather throughout July broke 11 records, with the average monthly temperature of 30.3 degrees Celsius (86.54 degrees Fahrenheit) becoming the highest in the city’s history.
The forecaster also reported 25 hot nights in July, with nighttime temperatures reaching 28 degrees or above, including a record-breaking streak of three weeks.
The figure marks the highest number of hot nights in a single month since records began almost 140 years ago.
“Although the heavy rain on July 30 interrupted the hot weather, the temperature rebounded significantly on July 31,” the weather agency said on Sunday.
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The Observatory also noted that July had so far reported the highest number of hot days on record, with daytime temperatures reaching 33 degrees or above.
“A total of 21 hot days have accumulated this month, breaking the record of the most hot days in a single month since 1884. The hot weather has been unbearable,” it said.
But the forecaster noted that the heatwave would likely end in the middle or later part of this week as a high-altitude disturbance would produce heavy showers across southern China.
An atmospheric circulation that followed the disturbance would encourage the formation of tropical cyclones in the South China Sea, it added.
Dr Kevin Lau Ka-lun, an honorary research associate at Chinese University’s Institute of Future Cities, had earlier said that hot nights were more lethal than scorching temperatures during the daytime.
“The heat makes it impossible for people to sleep well. The prostration causes issues in bodily functions and induces different diseases,” he said.
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If high temperatures occurred for a period of five consecutive nights or more, the risk of death from heat-related conditions increased by about 6 per cent, he said, especially among women and elderly residents.
Jeffrey Hung Oi-shing, chief executive of Friends of the Earth (HK), also suggested the government review its heat alert system by developing new warnings to differentiate between even higher temperatures.
“The ‘very hot weather’ warning is currently set at 33 degrees. It was rare in the past, but it has become a norm now,” he said.
“The government should form a cross-departmental team to set guidelines for outdoor workers, children and senior residents under extreme heat.”
