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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Eight typhoons loom for year
Hong Kong will see five to eight tropical cyclones that come within 500 kilometers of the city this year, a number the Hong Kong Observatory said falls between normal to above normal compared with the past.
It also said last year was the warmest year in Hong Kong since records began in 1884.
Its expectation of five to eight was made in a recap of last year's weather and the outlook for this year' tropical cyclone season, which starts in June and ends in October.
In addition, under the influence of global warming and local urbanization, the observatory said, it is likely the city could see its annual mean temperature fall within a range of normal to above normal. In the summer, the city could see an average temperature in the normal range from 28.4 to 28.9 degrees Celsius, or higher.
In the winter, the average temperature could fall within the normal range of 16.8 to 17.7 degrees, or higher.
Annual rainfall is also expected to be normal to above normal this year, and Hong Kong may be affected by heavy rain.
With last year being the warmest on record since 1884, mean temperatures hit 24.6 degrees.
The mean temperatures in March, May and September last year were 22, 29, and 29.7 degrees, respectively, the highest on record for those months.
Meanwhile, there were 61 hot nights - a daily minimum temperature of 28 degrees or more - and 54 very hot days - a daily maximum temperature at 33 degrees or higher - last year, breaking the previous record in 2020.
The weather forecaster said it will continue to enhance its services this year. Starting next month, it will publish seasonal forecasts for the next three months on a monthly basis, covering average temperatures and total rainfall.
It is also mulling over further strengthening forecasting and enhancing the dissemination of information to the public regarding the impact of strong winds and prolonged rainstorms brought about by tropical cyclones, in order to better protect public safety.
In response to the increasing numbers of very hot days and nights, the observatory will deliver special weather tips pertaining to prolonged heat spells on its website and through push notifications in the mobile application "MyObservatory" starting this summer. The messages will remind the public to take appropriate measures against prolonged impacts hot weather.
Its expectation of five to eight was made in a recap of last year's weather and the outlook for this year' tropical cyclone season, which starts in June and ends in October.
In addition, under the influence of global warming and local urbanization, the observatory said, it is likely the city could see its annual mean temperature fall within a range of normal to above normal. In the summer, the city could see an average temperature in the normal range from 28.4 to 28.9 degrees Celsius, or higher.
In the winter, the average temperature could fall within the normal range of 16.8 to 17.7 degrees, or higher.
Annual rainfall is also expected to be normal to above normal this year, and Hong Kong may be affected by heavy rain.
With last year being the warmest on record since 1884, mean temperatures hit 24.6 degrees.
The mean temperatures in March, May and September last year were 22, 29, and 29.7 degrees, respectively, the highest on record for those months.
Meanwhile, there were 61 hot nights - a daily minimum temperature of 28 degrees or more - and 54 very hot days - a daily maximum temperature at 33 degrees or higher - last year, breaking the previous record in 2020.
The weather forecaster said it will continue to enhance its services this year. Starting next month, it will publish seasonal forecasts for the next three months on a monthly basis, covering average temperatures and total rainfall.
It is also mulling over further strengthening forecasting and enhancing the dissemination of information to the public regarding the impact of strong winds and prolonged rainstorms brought about by tropical cyclones, in order to better protect public safety.
In response to the increasing numbers of very hot days and nights, the observatory will deliver special weather tips pertaining to prolonged heat spells on its website and through push notifications in the mobile application "MyObservatory" starting this summer. The messages will remind the public to take appropriate measures against prolonged impacts hot weather.
