Hong Kong set to match 2016 record for hottest ‘minor heat’ day in Chinese solar calendar
- Lowest ‘minor heat’ temperatures recorded on July 7, 2008 at 26.6 degrees Celsius, while highest logged in 2016 at 34 degrees
Hong Kong is expected to match a record set in 2016 for its hottest “minor heat” day in the traditional Chinese solar calendar since 1884, as the mercury is set to reach 36 degrees Celsius.
A veteran meteorologist and the weather forecaster said on Wednesday temperatures could rise to 34 degrees Celsius in urban areas and 36 degrees in the New Territories on Saturday, which marks the arrival of “minor heat”, the 11th solar term in the calendar.
Another solar period, “great heat”, is expected to arrive on July 22.
The lowest “minor heat” temperatures were recorded on July 7, 2008, at 26.6 degrees, while the highest were logged in 2016 at 34 degrees.
The Hong Kong Observatory predicted that the weather would be “very hot” on Saturday, accompanied by isolated showers. Temperatures are expected to range between 29 to 34 degrees.
Leung Wing-mo, a former assistant director of the Observatory, said rural areas might record a higher temperature.