Climate of Hong Kong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The climate of Hong Kong is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa), just short of being a tropical wet-and-dry climate.
In December, January and February, the sky is typically overcast and occasional cold fronts are experienced, although it may be sunnier earlier on in winter. Temperatures can be low by Hong Kong standards, varying from around 7°C-15°C on a colder day. Snow and frost, however, are very unlikely to form (as sub-zero temperature are virtually non-existent at sea level although having occurred in local areas in the past. Rainfall is uncommon in this period of time. Cold weather and drizzles can persist once they begin. Winter weather usually ends in late February, although temperatures below 10°C have been recorded in mid-March. Less and less surges of the northeast monsoon arrive at Hong Kong's doorstep as winter goes on to spring.
From March to May, the chance of rainfall increases, and humidity is usually higher than in October and November. However, locals tend to welcome these months, as the searing summer heat has yet to arrive.
June to September are hottest months of the year. Temperature ranges between 26°C-34°C with high humidity (often remaining over 60-70% during the day, and even higher at night). These are also the months of thunderstorms. A typical forecast for a summer day includes hot and sunny conditions, with isolated showers and thunderstorms, but sometimes heavy rain. Hong Kong may be hit by typhoons during summer and early autumn, but these events are not unknown in late spring either.
In October and November the weather is generally sunny, and less rainfall occurs compared to the summer months. They are often considered the most pleasant months because of mild to warm temperatures without the high humidity experienced in spring and summer.
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[edit] Tropical cyclones
Tropical cyclones are classified in these four categories: tropical depressions, tropical storms, severe tropical storms and typhoons. If the tropical cyclone passes by Hong Kong at a distance, it may bring a little rain and wind that will not last for more than half a day. If it scores a direct hit, the winds can be deadly and it may rain for days.
Tropical cyclones are massive twisting air currents with hundreds of kilometres in width. They can only exist over warm oceans. When they hit the land, their moisture will dry out and they die out. The eye of a tropical cyclone is usually tens of kilometres wide and has a column of descending air. It can be entirely calm in contrast to the surrounding vortex.
However, Hong Kong is only a small point on earth and hence the odds for a direct typhoon hit is quite rare. However, when it does occur, the Hong Kong Observatory issues the Typhoon Signal no. 10, the strongest storm warning issued by the agency.
[edit] Climate Changes in the past decade
1997. 1997 was the wettest year since records began in 1884. Rainfall at the Hong Kong Observatory amounted to 3343.0 millimetres, 51 per cent above normal and exceeding the previous record set in 1982.
1998. It was the warmest year since records began in 1884. The annual mean temperature was 24.0 degrees, 0.2 degrees higher than the previous record set in 1966. The annual mean daily minimum temperature of 22.1 degrees was also the highest on record.
1999. With an annual mean temperature of 23.8 degrees, 1999 was the third warmest year on record. The monthly mean temperatures for all months except May, August and December were above their respective normal figures.
2000. The year 2000 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.3 degrees was the tenth highest on record and the mean minimum temperature of 21.5 degrees was the sixth highest. The annual total rainfall of 2752.3 millimetres was 24 per cent above normal.
2001. The year 2001 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.6 degrees was 0.6 degree above normal, ranking the sixth highest on record. The mean minimum temperature of 21.8 degrees was the second highest on record. The annual total rainfall of 3091.8 millimetres also ranked the fourth highest.
2002. The year 2002 was the second warmest year on record. The mean temperature of 23.9 degrees was 0.9 degree above normal.
2003. The year 2003 was the sixth warmest year since records began in 1884. The mean temperature, 23.6 degrees, was 0.6 degrees above normal.
2004. Globally, the year 2004 was the fourth warmest year since instrumental temperature record began in 1861. In Hong Kong, 2004 was the ninth warmest year on record. The annual mean temperature was 23.4 degrees, 0.4 degree above normal.
2005. Locally in Hong Kong, 2005 was the third wettest year on record. The total rainfall of 3214.5 millimetres was 45.2 percent above normal.
2006. Globally, the year 2006 is the sixth warmest year on record. In Hong Kong, it was the eighth warmest year since record began in 1884. The annual mean temperature of 23.5 degrees was 0.5 degree higher than normal.
