Hong Kong Observatory to launch heat alert when temperatures hit 35 degrees Celsius

The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has just launched a new “Special Weather Tips” notification, which will be issued to app users when the mercury reaches, or exceeds, 35 degrees Celsius, it announced in a press release last Friday.

hot weather warning hko — The acting assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Cheng Yuen-chung (left), and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, Mr Johnny Yuen, held a joint press conference today (May 26) to introduce the enhanced Very Hot Weather Warning service, and to remind the public to get prepared for the very hot weather in summer.

Currently, when temperatures reach 33 degrees Celsius, the HKO will issue a Very Hot Weather Warning.

“Extremely hot! Please pay attention to the health conditions,” the new Special Weather Tip – which was rolled out last Friday – will read. “Drink more water and take all necessary protective measures against the heat. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice as soon as possible.”

hot weather notification from the Observatory — An example of an app notification from the Observatory. Photo: HKO.

Last year, there were 15 days with the daily maximum temperature recorded at HKO headquarters was equal to, or in exceeds of, 35.0 degrees Celsius, the Observatory said. It was the highest on record.

The annual mean temperature this year is expected to be above normal, with a high possibility of being among the warmest top 10 years on record, it added..

Nearby Typhoon

The city is set for a heatwave this week. “Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of Tropical Cyclone Mawar, there may be extremely hot weather over Southern China early to midweek next week,” Cheng Yuen-chung, the acting assistant director of HKO said in the press release last Friday.

“Members of the public should pay attention to the change in weather and take adequate protective measures against the heat.”

9-day Weather Forecast for Hong Kong. Photo: HKO screenshot.

Johnny Yuen, the acting chief executive officer of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, said: “The elderly [belong] to the group more vulnerable to heat stroke. In very hot weather, the elderly may feel unwell more easily. Those living in more crowded homes without air conditioning belong to the high-risk group.”

HKO said on their website on Monday that “Tropical Cyclone Mawar is expected to move across the seas east of Luzon today, and turn northwards gradually in the Luzon Strait in the following couple of days. However, there are uncertainties in its subsequent movement.”

Typhoon — HKO predicted that Mawar would move across the seas east of Luzon on May 29. Photo: HKO screenshot.

Maximum temperatures will range from 32 to 34 degrees between Monday and Saturday, with wet weather expected this weekend, according to the Observatory.

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