Forecaster says minimum temperatures have stayed at or above 28 degrees for six straight days, matching a May record set in 2021
Hong Kong has recorded six consecutive “hot nights”, tying the longest such streak for May, as an intense heatwave grips the city.
The Hong Kong Observatory said the minimum temperature at its headquarters had stayed at or above 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) for six straight days through Thursday night, equalling the previous May record set between May 16 and 21, 2021.
Another hot night would extend the streak to seven days and set a new May record. The weather forecaster defines a hot night as one in which the minimum temperature at its headquarters reaches at least 28 degrees.
Acting Assistant Director Choy Chun-wing said the current heatwave was being driven by an anticyclone aloft, which suppresses cloud formation and rainfall, allowing prolonged sunshine to push temperatures higher.
“Clouds and rain form when moisture rises and condenses,” he said on a radio programme.
“Under the influence of an anticyclone aloft, however, descending air suppresses it, resulting in drier conditions and fewer clouds. With longer periods of sunshine, temperatures can rise more significantly.”
The Observatory forecast extremely hot weather on Friday under the influence of the anticyclone, with temperatures expected to reach about 35 degrees in urban areas and as high as 36 to 37 degrees in parts of the New Territories.
Source: News - South China Morning Post
