One more blast of cold weather

A foggy and humid start to the week will be followed by a drop in temperature starting tomorrow as the Hong Kong Observatory says a warm and humid maritime airstream is affecting the coast of Guangdong and will be gradually replaced by an easterly airstream today.

"A cold front will move across the coast of southern China on Tuesday morning. Temperatures will fall over the region," the observatory said.

The mercury will drop starting tomorrow with a low of 18 degrees Celsius, five degrees lower than the highest temperature today.

It will drop further to 16 degrees on Wednesday, but will slowly climb back up to 20 on Saturday.

It will be dry on Wednesday and Thursday with the maximum relative humidity ranging from 55 to 80 percent.

The humidity will increase to 75 to 95 percent in the latter part of this week and early next week, as the observatory expects a humid southerly airstream to affect southern China gradually.

Temperatures will range from 20 to 25 degrees during that time.

The observatory also expects a few showers over the region and misty weather in the morning and at night.

Meanwhile, the Highways Department emergency control center conducted a drill yesterday with road maintenance contractors to familiarize themselves with procedures for emergency recovery work of road facilities during typhoons and heavy rain.

The department said that this drill will help staff members and contractors smoothly carry out work procedures in potentially hazardous conditions, with some particular points to note for emergency recovery work.

It will activate its four emergency control centers serving the Urban Region, New Territories, Cross Boundary and Tsing Ma and Tsing Sha Control Areas respectively, with on-duty staff and road maintenance contractors providing frontline support during inclement weather.

Apart from the drill, the department has been implementing a series of preventive measures such as regular maintenance inspections of roadside slopes to enhance its capability to cope with inclement weather.

Flood warning systems will also be installed in phases during this year and in 2025 for some pedestrian subways along Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po and Tai Po River.

The department is collaborating with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to install closed-circuit television systems at pedestrian subways in low-lying areas with a higher flooding risk.