It's the time when winter begins to bite

The mercury will dip from 23 degrees Celsius on Friday to 14 degrees on Saturday and as low as eight degrees in Ta Kwu Ling over the weekend, which may trigger the first cold weather warning this winter.

The sudden drop in temperature is being brought about by a cold front approaching the coast of southern China.

On Sunday, temperatures are forecast to drop to as low as 12 degrees, alongside a few showers, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

"The associated intense northeast monsoon will affect the city early to mid-week next week," the observatory said.

It will be cold in the morning from Saturday onward, as temperatures will fall appreciably due to winds strengthening from the north.

A high of 23 degrees on Saturday is forecast, with cloudy skies and a few rain patches.

Temperatures will be 13 degrees or lower in all parts of the city on Sunday.

But it will be colder in the New Territories at eight degrees in Ta Kwu Ling and nine degrees in Shek Kong, with lows of 11 degrees in Tuen Mun, Sai Kung, Cheung Chau and Lau Fau Shan.

Elsewhere, Sha Tin, Tseung Kwan O, Sheung Shui and Tai Po will experience 10-degree weather on Sunday.

The first cold weather warning signal in the second half of this year might be issued.

The weather was fine and rather warm yesterday, with maximum temperature of 28.7 degrees - the same as the highest temperature 70 years ago in December 1953.

Hong Kong will be cloudier in the next couple of days because an easterly airstream will affect the coastal areas of Guangdong.

According to the nine-day weather forecast, temperatures in the next two days will range between 22 and 26 degrees, with mainly cloudy weather.

There will be a few light rain patches between today and Friday. Visibility will be lower Friday night.

It will remain cold for the following five days after Saturday, with a low of 12 degrees next Wednesday and Thursday.

"Under the influence of a dry replenishment of the monsoon, the cold weather will ease over southern China starting mid-week next week," the observatory said.

christine.tang@singtaonewscorp.com