Hong Kong records hottest Lunar New Year’s Eve on record at 27.9°C

Hong Kong recorded its hottest Lunar New Year’s Eve on record on Sunday, with temperatures climbing to 27.9 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, surpassing the previous record set in 1953.

The Hong Kong Observatory said winds over Guangdong were weak and the weather was generally fine. Local temperatures were one to two degrees higher than the previous day. The minimum temperature recorded in the morning was 22.0 degrees, already the highest Lunar New Year’s Eve minimum on record.

By around noon, temperatures across the territory generally rose to 26 degrees or above. As of 1.50pm, the Observatory recorded a maximum of 27.9 degrees, making it the hottest Lunar New Year’s Eve since records began and breaking the 27.8-degree record set in 1953.

Temperatures in several parts of the New Territories, including Shek Kong, climbed above 30 degrees. The Observatory forecast that the temperature could reach 28 degrees later in the day, meaning the new record could be further extended.

Despite the daytime heat, weather conditions are expected to change with the approach of a northeast monsoon. Atmospheric pressure is rising over eastern China, and a fresh to strong northeast monsoon is forecast to reach the coast of southern China later Sunday night into the early hours of the first day of the Lunar New Year.

The Observatory said it will be mainly fine and hot in the afternoon, becoming cloudy tonight with light winds. During the Lunar New Year holiday period, it will be windier. One or two light rain patches are expected at first on Lunar New Year’s Day, with temperatures falling slightly during the day.

Sunny intervals are forecast for the second and third days of the Lunar New Year, with cool mornings followed by warmer daytime conditions in the following couple of days. The monsoon is expected to moderate later in the week, bringing generally warm daytime conditions with periods of sunshine over the weekend.

(Updated at 2.10pm)