Nine-degree temperature plunge to grip Hong Kong

Hong Kong Observatory warned that temperatures will fall significantly on Tuesday night as an intense winter monsoon is expected to affect southern China gradually, with an overnight drop of up to nine degrees.

The temperature plunge tomorrow (Jan 20) coincides with Major Cold, also known as "Dahan" in Chinese, the last of the traditional twenty-four solar terms.

According to a Special Weather Tip issued on Monday, the weather watchdog said it will be mainly cloudy and persistently cold from Wednesday to Friday.

The minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 11 to 12 degrees in urban areas, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories.

The nine-day weather forecast showed that the temperature on Thursday will drop to 11 degrees, marking it the coldest day this week.

In several districts of the New Territories, including Sha Tin, Tseung Kwan O, Tin Shui Wai, Tai Po, and Sheung Shui, temperatures will fall below 10 degrees. In Ta Kwu Ling, it will even drop as low as 6 degrees at times.

“Members of the public should be aware of the change in weather and take care of elderly persons and persons with chronic medical conditions,” the Observatory said.