Hong Kong residents face an abrupt shift to winter weather this weekend as an expected cold front descends upon southern China, shattering the lingering mild December temperatures with a dramatic overnight dip, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. The dramatic temperature swing, following a deceptively warm early week, will see the mercury drop by up to eight degrees Celsius in a single day, ushering in the city’s first significant cold snap of the season starting Saturday.
The city has enjoyed unseasonably warm conditions recently, with temperatures hovering in the 20s. However, the anticipated cold surge, driven by a strengthening northerly wind, is predicted to arrive in the Pearl River Delta by late Friday or early Saturday. The Observatory’s nine-day forecast indicates that Saturday’s minimum temperature will drop sharply to approximately 16 degrees Celsius, a stark contrast to Friday’s forecast high of 24 degrees.
The chilling trend will intensify further into Sunday (December 14th). Overall city temperatures are expected to drop again, reaching a low of about 15 degrees Celsius and remaining below 20 degrees throughout the day.
Inland Areas Face Steepest Drop
The most significant temperature disparities are forecasted for the New Territories, particularly inland districts. Locations like Shek Kong and Ta Kwu Ling, which may still reach daytime highs of 25 degrees Celsius on Friday, are bracing for exceptionally cold conditions. The Observatory projects that by Sunday morning, these areas could see the minimum temperature fall to an icy 11 degrees Celsius, a staggering 14-degree drop from their midweek peak.
Across the northern New Territories, early Sunday morning temperatures are generally expected to range between 13 and 14 degrees Celsius. The strong influence of the persistent northeast monsoon is also expected to bring generally fine and dry weather to the region in the coming days, though large diurnal temperature variations will be notable, particularly inland.
Forecasting the Cold Snap
Before the weekend freeze, Hong Kong anticipates a brief period of slightly overcast and breezy conditions. The Observatory expects light scattered showers on Tuesday (December 9th) and Wednesday (December 10th), with temperatures stabilized between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius and moderate winds potentially strengthening offshore.
Temperatures are forecasted to climb slightly to the low 20s on Thursday and Friday, reaching highs of 24 degrees Celsius before the Arctic blast hits.
The cold front’s arrival coincides with other regional weather phenomena, including a tropical cyclone currently moving eastward across the central and southern Philippines. While this system is projected to enter the South China Sea and gradually weaken, its interaction with the broader weather pattern will help pull the strong northeast monsoon towards the mainland China coast, guaranteeing the weekend chill.
Residents are advised to prepare for the sudden descent into winter, particularly those traveling to or residing in the more exposed New Territories areas, where the combination of wind and low temperatures will significantly increase the wind chill factor. The public should prepare winter clothing and heating as the city transitions from late autumn warmth to deep winter conditions in just 48 hours.
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