https://www.scmp.com/rss/580/feed Latest news and pictures on Hong Kong's weather including typhoons and other conditions en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong and mainland Chinese scholars have developed a pioneering AI model that uses satellite data to forecast heavy rainstorms up to four hours before they strike, much earlier than current predictions allow. The model represented a “major advancement in atmospheric monitoring and severe weather early warnings, enabling faster and more accurate forecasts and strengthening regional disaster preparedness and response”, Dr Dai Kuai, a postdoctoral fellow in the University of Science and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3341590/how-ai-model-predicts-heavy-rainstorms-4-hours-advance-satellite-data?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3341590/how-ai-model-predicts-heavy-rainstorms-4-hours-advance-satellite-data?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:13:55 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Temperatures in Hong Kong are expected to drop to as low as 11 degrees Celsius (52 Fahrenheit) again on Thursday as an intense winter monsoon approaches the south of China, according to the weather forecaster. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Monday that the winter monsoon was expected to... https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3340372/temperatures-hong-kong-expected-drop-11-degrees-celsius-thursday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3340372/temperatures-hong-kong-expected-drop-11-degrees-celsius-thursday?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 04:46:12 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Temperatures in Hong Kong are expected to drop to as low as 12 degrees Celsius (53.6 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday due to an incoming northeasterly monsoon, according to the local forecaster. The Hong Kong Observatory said temperatures on Sunday ranged from 14 to 19 degrees, while a fresh surge... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338650/hong-kong-temperatures-dip-12-degrees-celsius-northeasterly-monsoon-arrives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338650/hong-kong-temperatures-dip-12-degrees-celsius-northeasterly-monsoon-arrives?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 03:30:22 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Hong Kong on Friday experienced its coldest morning so far this winter, with temperatures dropping to 12.9 degrees Celsius (55.22 Fahrenheit). The Observatory said the city’s first cold weather warning of the season had remained in force for the first working day of 2026. The warning was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338445/hong-kong-wakes-coldest-morning-so-far-winter-129-degrees-celsius?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3338445/hong-kong-wakes-coldest-morning-so-far-winter-129-degrees-celsius?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:17:48 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Hongkongers woke up to a cold Christmas Day, with the weather expected to get even colder on Boxing Day and temperatures to drop to 13 degrees Celsius (55.4 Fahrenheit). The Hong Kong Observatory said on Thursday that the city was “appreciably cooler” under the influence of a northeasterly... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337684/chill-deepen-boxing-day-after-hongkongers-wake-cold-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337684/chill-deepen-boxing-day-after-hongkongers-wake-cold-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 05:34:36 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. Temperatures in Hong Kong will drop to as low as 14 degrees Celsius (57.2 Fahrenheit) over the Christmas holiday due to an approaching northeasterly monsoon, according to the Observatory. The forecaster said on Wednesday that the “replenishment of the northeast monsoon” would reach the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337630/cool-christmas-break-hong-kong-temperatures-reach-low-14-degrees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3337630/cool-christmas-break-hong-kong-temperatures-reach-low-14-degrees?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:54:51 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. A cold front is expected to begin affecting Hong Kong on Saturday, bringing intensifying winds and pushing temperatures to about 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) the following day, the weather forecaster has said. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the cold front will move across... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336138/chilly-weekend-ahead-hong-kong-temperatures-set-hit-15-degrees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3336138/chilly-weekend-ahead-hong-kong-temperatures-set-hit-15-degrees?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:46:09 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong woke up to temperatures as low as 13.2 degrees Celsius (55.8 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, the coldest so far this autumn, according to the weather forecaster. The mercury dipped as the Hong Kong Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 13.2 degrees at its headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui at 6am. “Under the influence of an intense northeast monsoon,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3333325/hong-kong-registers-low-132-degrees-celsius-coldest-so-far-autumn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3333325/hong-kong-registers-low-132-degrees-celsius-coldest-so-far-autumn?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:50:01 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Temperatures in Hong Kong are expected to dip to as low as 13 degrees Celsius (55.4 Fahrenheit) next Wednesday due to a powerful surge caused by a northeast monsoon approaching the coast of Guangdong, according to the local forecaster. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Thursday that an “intense replenishment” of the northeast monsoon was expected to strike... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3332666/hongkongers-told-brace-chilly-weather-early-next-week-due-monsoon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3332666/hongkongers-told-brace-chilly-weather-early-next-week-due-monsoon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:47:22 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hongkongers should brace for cooler weather next week, as a northeast monsoon is expected to push temperatures down to about 16 degrees Celsius (60.8 Fahrenheit), the local forecaster has said. The Hong Kong Observatory said on Wednesday that the dry northeast monsoon would bring mainly fine weather to the region over the next few days, before temperatures... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3332428/hongkongers-feel-chill-temperatures-set-dip-16-degrees-next-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3332428/hongkongers-feel-chill-temperatures-set-dip-16-degrees-next-week?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 04:54:34 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying,Jeffie Lam Lo Hoi-ying,Jeffie Lam This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Daytime temperatures are expected to rise later this week, the Hong Kong Observatory has said, as it cancelled all typhoon signals. The weather forecaster lowered the No 3 signal at 6.20pm on Tuesday as Tropical Cyclone Fengshen, which means “the god of wind” in Chinese, departed. The strong monsoon signal was in force. The Observatory warned that local winds... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329732/severe-tropical-storm-fengshen-gradually-moves-away-after-skirting-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329732/severe-tropical-storm-fengshen-gradually-moves-away-after-skirting-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:18:37 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory has said it will consider issuing the No 3 typhoon signal between 5pm and 7pm on Monday, as Tropical Storm Fengshen edges closer to the city. The forecaster issued the strong monsoon signal at 10.50pm on Sunday as local winds strengthened under the influence of a northeastern monsoon. It said the No 3 typhoon alert would replace the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329552/tropical-storm-fengshen-hong-kong-observatory-could-issue-t3-monday-evening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3329552/tropical-storm-fengshen-hong-kong-observatory-could-issue-t3-monday-evening?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 04:23:17 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Rainbow-coloured clouds in the shape of a stairway were seen in the skies above Hong Kong, wowing onlookers who spotted them hanging over Tsing Yi earlier this month. Describing it as a “rainbow stairway to heaven”, the Observatory on Monday shared photos taken by a resident on its social media page and explained how the rare phenomenon was created. “This is a result of the collaboration between distrails and iridescent clouds,” it said. The photos were taken in Tsing Yi on October 4. Distrails,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3328841/clouds-form-rainbow-stairway-heaven-skies-above-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3328841/clouds-form-rainbow-stairway-heaven-skies-above-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:56:04 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li A small shift in the climate because of global warming took the cool out of Hong Kong’s “cold dew” day on Wednesday, meteorologists warned, with social workers calling for corresponding measures to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures on low-income families and workers. Former Hong Kong Observatory director Lam Chiu-ying noted that local temperatures had reached as high as 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit) on “cold dew”, the 17th of 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese forecast... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3328432/hong-kong-cold-dew-days-are-not-cool-anymore-why?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3328432/hong-kong-cold-dew-days-are-not-cool-anymore-why?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:33:57 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory will consider issuing the No 1 typhoon warning on Friday night as a tropical storm moves across the Philippines and enters the South China Sea. The forecaster said on Thursday that Tropical Storm Matmo was centred about 610km (380 miles) east of Manila at noon and was moving west-northwest at about 22km/h (13.7mph) towards the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327595/hong-kong-may-issue-no-1-typhoon-signal-friday-night-tropical-storm-matmo-nears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3327595/hong-kong-may-issue-no-1-typhoon-signal-friday-night-tropical-storm-matmo-nears?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:09:17 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Restaurateurs in Tseung Kwan O, whose operations were ruined by Super Typhoon Ragasa, have said the damages run into millions of Hong Kong dollars and will exacerbate their business woes. Tseung Kwan O was one of the hardest-hit areas, as strong storm surges shattered glass doors at restaurants along the promenade and flushed out chairs, booth seats, cushions, plates and glasses onto the pavements. Bacaba owner Satpal Singh estimated at least HK$3 million (US$385,700) in damages, as almost all... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326864/restaurants-need-millions-repairs-after-ragasa-lashes-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326864/restaurants-need-millions-repairs-after-ragasa-lashes-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:02:06 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Coastal and low-lying areas across Hong Kong have been hit hard by Super Typhoon Ragasa, as it brought a significant storm surge and rainstorms to the city, inundating streets and promenades. Widespread flooding could be seen across the city on Wednesday morning, with the Hong Kong Observatory reporting that water levels in some areas had reached up to 3.8 metres (12.5 feet) or more above chart datum, a reference level for measuring tide heights. Authorities said that as of late afternoon they... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326666/severe-typhoon-ragasa-hong-kongs-coastal-low-lying-areas-hit-floodwaters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326666/severe-typhoon-ragasa-hong-kongs-coastal-low-lying-areas-hit-floodwaters?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:50:37 +0000 Brian Wang,Carlos Araujo,Catherine Ma,Davies Christian Surya,Jiang Chuqin,Joe Lo,Kaliz Lee,Rocio Marquez,Victor Sanjinez Brian Wang,Carlos Araujo,Catherine Ma,Davies Christian Surya,Jiang Chuqin,Joe Lo,Kaliz Lee,Rocio Marquez,Victor Sanjinez https://www.scmp.com/infographics/hong-kong/society/article/3326461/when-typhoon-hits-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/infographics/hong-kong/society/article/3326461/when-typhoon-hits-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Super Typhoon Ragasa could be even stronger than previous severe weather systems that hit Hong Kong, with the “king of storms” taking a “worryingly similar” path to Hato and Mangkhut and leaving the city in a “dangerous semicircle”, meteorologists have warned. With a projected path resembling that of the super typhoons Hato, which struck the city in 2017, and Mangkhut in 2018, Ragasa presented a significant threat and could bring even more violent winds to Hong Kong, they noted. Dubbed the “king... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326574/hong-kong-fall-dangerous-semicircle-king-storms-ragasa-experts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3326574/hong-kong-fall-dangerous-semicircle-king-storms-ragasa-experts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:32:44 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Around 600 Hong Kong swimmers took part in the Cross Tolo Harbour Open Race on Sunday, despite amber rainstorm and thunderstorm warning signals being raised. The Hong Kong Observatory had raised the thunderstorm warning at 11.15pm on Saturday, and stated explicitly that people should not swim outdoors. The open-water race’s organisers, the Tai Po Sports Association, were adamant that the warning had not been issued, and chairman Henry Choi Kam-kong said that if that had been the case, the event... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3326308/do-not-swim-hong-kong-observatory-says-tolo-harbour-race-goes-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3326308/do-not-swim-hong-kong-observatory-says-tolo-harbour-race-goes-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:21:47 +0000 Connor Mycroft Connor Mycroft This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50 per cent off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. Hong Kong authorities are bracing for “serious threats” posed by the looming Super Typhoon Ragasa, which is expected to bring hurricane-force winds with speeds of up to 220km/h (137mph) in coming days, potentially breaking a record set during Saola in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326280/ragasa-set-bring-winds-210km/h-hong-kong-higher-2017s-typhoon-hato?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3326280/ragasa-set-bring-winds-210km/h-hong-kong-higher-2017s-typhoon-hato?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Sep 2025 02:38:21 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50 per cent off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. A potential super typhoon next week has prompted Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways to prepare for operational adjustments, while an existing storm made landfall on Friday afternoon, with the No 3 warning signal remaining in force overnight. The No... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3326058/hong-kong-issues-t3-storm-mitag-nears-kindergarten-classes-suspended?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3326058/hong-kong-issues-t3-storm-mitag-nears-kindergarten-classes-suspended?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:20:21 +0000 Jiang Chuqin,Danny Mok Jiang Chuqin,Danny Mok This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50 per cent off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster has said the No 1 typhoon warning signal will remain in effect on Thursday, as a tropical depression edges closer to the city, with another intensifying in the region. The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No 1 signal at 9.20pm on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3325824/hong-kong-observatory-issue-no-1-typhoon-standby-signal-wednesday-night?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3325824/hong-kong-observatory-issue-no-1-typhoon-standby-signal-wednesday-night?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 06:32:47 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50% off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. The Hong Kong Observatory has said it could issue a No 1 typhoon signal between Wednesday night and Thursday morning due to an area of low pressure currently northeast of Manila intensifying into a tropical depression. The forecaster said on Tuesday night that the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3325764/hong-kong-could-issue-t1-warning-between-wednesday-night-thursday-morning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3325764/hong-kong-could-issue-t1-warning-between-wednesday-night-thursday-morning?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:14:22 +0000 Ambrose Li,Leopold Chen Ambrose Li,Leopold Chen This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong readers now get 50% off their first year of subscription until September 21, 2025. Hong Kong’s weather forecaster issued the No 3 typhoon warning signal at 2.40am on Sunday, with strong winds expected to affect the vicinity of the Pearl River Delta and enter within 200km (125 miles) of the city on Monday. A tropical cyclone over the northern part of... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3324580/hong-kong-assess-need-no-3-typhoon-warning-signal-sunday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3324580/hong-kong-assess-need-no-3-typhoon-warning-signal-sunday?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Sep 2025 03:06:38 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. All typhoon signals will be cancelled at 12.10pm on Sunday as Tropical Cyclone Kajiki moves further away from Hong Kong, according to the city’s weather forecaster. The Observatory said the No 1 typhoon signal would be replaced by the strong monsoon signal at noon, as Kajiki moved across the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3322955/all-typhoon-signals-hong-kong-be-cancelled-1210pm-cyclone-kajiki-departs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3322955/all-typhoon-signals-hong-kong-be-cancelled-1210pm-cyclone-kajiki-departs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2025 03:30:44 +0000 Olga Wong Olga Wong This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Hong Kong education authorities suspended all morning and whole-day classes on Monday due to squally thunderstorms, but the weather forecaster cancelled all rainstorm warnings less than two hours later. The Observatory issued a red rainstorm warning signal at 1.15am before lowering it to amber... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3322163/hong-kong-cancels-amber-rainstorm-warning-less-2-hours-after-class-suspensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3322163/hong-kong-cancels-amber-rainstorm-warning-less-2-hours-after-class-suspensions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:05:33 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Hong Kong has issued 51 rainstorm warnings so far this year, including four top-tier signals, surpassing a record held for the whole of 2001, the Post has found. The record was broken at 11.45am on Wednesday when an amber rainstorm warning signal was raised. Four black rainstorm warnings issued in the past week were in effect for a combined 17 hours and 35 minutes, a record high for the duration of the signals in a single summer since the system was revamped in 1998. But a veteran meteorologist... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3320921/hong-kong-issued-51-rainstorm-signals-2025-so-far-beating-whole-year-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3320921/hong-kong-issued-51-rainstorm-signals-2025-so-far-beating-whole-year-record?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:34:54 +0000 Leopold Chen,Jeffie Lam,Fiona Sun Leopold Chen,Jeffie Lam,Fiona Sun This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Torrential downpours pounded parts of Hong Kong on Tuesday and triggered the first black rainstorm warning of the year, with roads flooded and some ferry services temporarily suspended. The highest-level black signal remained in force for nearly two hours after being issued by the Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3319913/amber-rainstorm-warning-issued-heavy-downpours-hit-hong-kong-shortly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3319913/amber-rainstorm-warning-issued-heavy-downpours-hit-hong-kong-shortly?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:24:38 +0000 Ambrose Li,Timon Johnson Ambrose Li,Timon Johnson The timings for Hong Kong’s typhoon signals are based on scientific indicators, the local forecaster and one of its former assistant directors have said while revealing the historical reason why many of the organisation’s warnings go out at 20 minutes past or to the hour. A check by the Post found that about 93 per cent of all warnings for the past 10 typhoons, tropical cyclones and depressions were issued at 20 minutes past or to the hour by the Observatory – including the No 10 signal for when... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3319104/why-do-hong-kong-typhoon-signals-usually-go-out-20-minutes-past-or-hour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3319104/why-do-hong-kong-typhoon-signals-usually-go-out-20-minutes-past-or-hour?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:29:11 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Hong Kong Observatory will issue the No 1 typhoon signal as early as Friday night and will consider raising the warning to No 8 on Sunday, as a tropical cyclone edges closer to the city. The forecaster said the tropical cyclone was currently located to the east of the Philippines and was... https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3318539/hong-kong-issue-t1-warning-friday-night-cyclone-edges-closer-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3318539/hong-kong-issue-t1-warning-friday-night-cyclone-edges-closer-city?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jul 2025 05:02:29 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Visibility in Hong Kong is expected to be low on Friday and Saturday under the influence of a humid easterly airstream, as the city braces for a cold front over the weekend. Meanwhile, a “blood moon” is set to cast a red glow over many parts of the world during a total lunar eclipse on Friday,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3302337/humidity-drops-visibility-below-3km-hong-kong-braces-cold-snap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3302337/humidity-drops-visibility-below-3km-hong-kong-braces-cold-snap?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Mar 2025 04:49:46 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. A cold front is expected to sweep across Hong Kong this weekend, with temperatures dipping to as low as 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) on Sunday and falling even further next Monday. The Hong Kong Observatory also said that temperatures on Thursday had risen to about 27 degrees in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3302186/cold-weekend-ahead-hong-kong-temperatures-down-15-degrees-celsius?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3302186/cold-weekend-ahead-hong-kong-temperatures-down-15-degrees-celsius?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Mar 2025 05:10:33 +0000 A tropical depression has developed to the east of the Philippines and might intensify further, skirting about 400km (248 miles) to the south of Hong Kong later this week, the Observatory has warned. The tropical depression was about 980km east of Manila on Monday evening and moving west or west-northwest at about 18km/h (11mph) towards seas east of Luzon in the Philippines. It is expected to directly affect the northern part of Luzon. The Observatory has released a path projection for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3283281/storm-east-philippines-set-intensify-could-skirt-hong-kong-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3283281/storm-east-philippines-set-intensify-could-skirt-hong-kong-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:50:24 +0000 Hongkongers should brace for thunderstorms over the next two days due to a broad trough of low pressure, the city’s forecaster said as it issued an amber rainstorm warning on Wednesday. The Hong Kong Observatory raised the alert, which means heavy rain exceeding 30mm an hour has fallen or is expected to fall over the city and is likely to continue, at 7.35am. The warning was cancelled at 10.45am. “A broad trough of low pressure is bringing showers and thunderstorms to the coast of Guangdong and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3272554/hong-kong-issues-amber-rainstorm-warning-says-heavy-showers-expected-coming-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3272554/hong-kong-issues-amber-rainstorm-warning-says-heavy-showers-expected-coming-days?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:27:19 +0000 Hong Kong’s weather forecaster may issue a No 1 storm warning signal as Super Typhoon Gaemi was expected to enter within 800km (500 miles) of the city on Wednesday night. The Observatory said on Wednesday that Gaemi, which means “ant” in Korean, would stay 600km from the city as it moved across the central and northern parts of Taiwan and hit Fujian province on Thursday. As of 5pm, Gaemi was about 820km east-northeast of Hong Kong. The No 1 signal is issued when a typhoon is centred within 800km... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3271634/hongkongers-brace-scorching-35-degree-heat-under-influence-severe-typhoon-gaemi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3271634/hongkongers-brace-scorching-35-degree-heat-under-influence-severe-typhoon-gaemi?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jul 2024 02:55:24 +0000 A 74-year-old paraglider who went missing for more than six hours while flying on Lantau Island in Hong Kong has died after being found unconscious. The man, reportedly with years of paragliding experience, took off from eastern Sunset Peak, the city’s third-highest mountain, on Monday afternoon. But he was said to have lost his way in foggy weather and could not be contacted later. The Post looks at the risks, safety practices and regulation of the sport in the city. 1. What do paragliders... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3267314/paragliding-hong-kong-what-you-should-know-after-man-dies-flying-poor-weather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3267314/paragliding-hong-kong-what-you-should-know-after-man-dies-flying-poor-weather?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jun 2024 03:26:18 +0000 Hongkongers can expect rainfall over the next few days, the local weather forecaster has said, as a southwesterly airstream off the coast of Guangdong province continues to affect southern China. “With the southwesterly airstream becoming active, there will be more showers with squally thunderstorms and it will be windy over the coast of Guangdong in the next couple of days,” the Hong Kong Observatory said on Thursday. The weather will be mainly cloudy with a few showers and thunderstorms on... https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3266414/hong-kong-told-brace-showers-squally-thunderstorms-over-next-few-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3266414/hong-kong-told-brace-showers-squally-thunderstorms-over-next-few-days?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jun 2024 04:23:07 +0000 Hongkongers can expect unsettled weather with wind and showers this week due to the influence of upper-air disturbances, the city’s weather forecaster said. Following the departure of Tropical Storm Maliksi over the weekend, the first cyclone of the season, Hongkongers would be able to enjoy some sunshine. But a strong easterly wind is expected to reach the Guangdong coast on Monday and might bring showers and blustery winds to the region in the next few days, the Observatory said on... https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3265089/hong-kong-observatory-says-more-unsettled-weather-wind-and-showers-expected-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3265089/hong-kong-observatory-says-more-unsettled-weather-wind-and-showers-expected-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Jun 2024 13:04:36 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled all typhoon signals on Saturday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Maliksi had weakened into an area of low pressure after earlier coming within about 200km (124 miles) of the city. The weather forecaster said it lowered the No 1 signal at 5.40pm. Maliksi, which means “fast” in Tagalog, landed in the vicinity of Qingyuan in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3264989/hong-kongs-no-3-typhoon-signal-stay-force-until-least-3pm-observatory-says-heavy-showers-expected?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3264989/hong-kongs-no-3-typhoon-signal-stay-force-until-least-3pm-observatory-says-heavy-showers-expected?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Jun 2024 02:22:21 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hongkongers can expect unstable weather early next week with heavy showers and thunderstorms possible because of the emergence of a southwest monsoon. The Observatory said on Thursday that showers would be heavy at times with squally thunderstorms early next week, under the influence of a broad low-pressure trough. Showers are expected to persist into the... https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3262923/hong-kong-set-more-unstable-weather-heavy-showers-thunderstorms-forecast-due-southwest-monsoon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3262923/hong-kong-set-more-unstable-weather-heavy-showers-thunderstorms-forecast-due-southwest-monsoon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 May 2024 09:10:00 +0000 Hong Kong is set for more heavy rain and thunderstorms this week, prompting the tourism minister to tell visitors to be “mentally prepared” for last-minute changes to a holiday fireworks display. Tourism minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Sunday authorities were fully prepared at border crossings to cope with anticipated crowds for the coming “golden week” Labour Day holiday and the hotel sector had reported strong room bookings. The holiday, which begins on Wednesday, lasts five days in... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3260674/hong-kong-set-hot-and-sunny-weather-later-week-after-enduring-heavy-rain-and-wind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3260674/hong-kong-set-hot-and-sunny-weather-later-week-after-enduring-heavy-rain-and-wind?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:50:00 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory has urged residents to stay alert over possible flooding despite cancelling an amber rainstorm warning in force for more than four hours, with some roads still closed to traffic due to fallen trees. More than 40mm (1.6 inches) of rain fell citywide on Tuesday morning, with Sai Kung recording the most at over 80mm, the weather... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3259973/hong-kong-observatory-issues-third-amber-rainstorm-warning-week-amid-heavy-downpour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3259973/hong-kong-observatory-issues-third-amber-rainstorm-warning-week-amid-heavy-downpour?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Apr 2024 01:41:53 +0000 Thunder and showers hit Hong Kong at lunch time on Thursday, as the Observatory issued its first amber rainstorm warning of the year. The alert was issued at 1pm and lasted one hour, indicating heavy rain of 30mm (1.2 inches) an hour had been recorded, mostly in the eastern part of the city and areas of the New Territories. Some were caught off guard by the sudden midday downpour, without umbrellas or raincoats, as they rushed for shelter. Many Hongkongers had headed to work earlier in the day... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3259401/hong-kong-braces-intense-thunder-and-showers-rainy-conditions-expected-through-next-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3259401/hong-kong-braces-intense-thunder-and-showers-rainy-conditions-expected-through-next-week?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Apr 2024 02:13:57 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hongkongers can expect hot weather over the next few days and next week, with temperatures expected to hit a maximum of 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit) between Tuesday and Thursday. The Observatory said on Tuesday the mercury had risen to 27.8 degrees by 10.50am, with warm weather and cloudy conditions predicted to continue throughout the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3257522/hong-kong-set-hot-2-weeks-maximum-temperatures-hitting-31-degrees-celsius-coming-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3257522/hong-kong-set-hot-2-weeks-maximum-temperatures-hitting-31-degrees-celsius-coming-days?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:50:47 +0000 One of the traffic lanes connecting Shek O with the rest of Hong Kong Island was reopened on Saturday night for light vehicles, after authorities evacuated about 200 residents who were isolated when two landslides triggered by a rainstorm damaged the only road leading out of the area. Ahead of its reopening at 9pm, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu inspected the site and said he had instructed all departments to race against time to repair roads, provide necessary supplies to residents in Shek O... https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3233949/thousands-shek-o-village-residents-left-stranded-record-breaking-rainstorm-hong-kong-destroys-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/weather/hong-kong/article/3233949/thousands-shek-o-village-residents-left-stranded-record-breaking-rainstorm-hong-kong-destroys-only?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:50:41 +0000 Hong Kong must “revolutionise” how trees are planted to prevent thousands being felled, as well as reducing property damage risks and ensuring public safety, as a second storm could potentially hit just days after Super Typhoon Saola, experts have said. “We have to revolutionise the way we plant trees in this high-density environment,” Professor Jim Chi-yung, of the Education University of Hong Kong’s geography and environmental science wing, said on Sunday. “We were very lucky that Super... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3233263/hong-kong-must-revolutionise-tree-planting-methods-ensure-public-safety-reduce-property-damage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3233263/hong-kong-must-revolutionise-tree-planting-methods-ensure-public-safety-reduce-property-damage?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Sep 2023 11:32:36 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory will consider issuing a warning later this week over a super typhoon that is moving along an unpredictable path and may interact with another intense storm brewing in the South China Sea. The weather forecaster on Monday said Super Typhoon Saola would be within 800km (497 miles) of the city on Wednesday, based on the latest... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3232527/hong-kong-braces-possible-hit-super-typhoon-saola-wednesday-observatory-assesses-need-warning-signal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3232527/hong-kong-braces-possible-hit-super-typhoon-saola-wednesday-observatory-assesses-need-warning-signal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Aug 2023 05:54:09 +0000 The mercury is expected to drop by more than 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) overnight on Friday in Hong Kong under the impact of the northeast monsoon, with temperatures falling to 13 degrees in some areas of the New Territories on Saturday morning, the Observatory has predicted. “A replenishment of the dry northeast monsoon will arrive at the coast of Guangdong tonight and bring chilly and windy weather over the weekend and early next week,” said Yip Kai Hou a scientific officer of the Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3211451/temperatures-expected-drop-13-degrees-celsius-some-areas-overnight-friday-forecasters-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3211451/temperatures-expected-drop-13-degrees-celsius-some-areas-overnight-friday-forecasters-say?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:01:02 +0000 This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a No 3 typhoon warning signal at 4.20pm on Monday as Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae edged closer to the city. The forecaster said the No 3 signal would remain in force at least until Tuesday noon, and it would closely monitor the storm’s movement and development and assess the need of issuing the No 8 warning signal. The latest... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3197779/hong-kong-observatory-says-no-1-warning-be-issued-sunday-night-severe-tropical-storm-nalgae-edges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3197779/hong-kong-observatory-says-no-1-warning-be-issued-sunday-night-severe-tropical-storm-nalgae-edges?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Oct 2022 13:28:09 +0000