hong Kong Experiences Frigid Temperatures, Health Officials Warn of Flu Season
temperatures in many areas of Hong Kong plummeted to single digits on Friday morning, with some locations recording as low as 2°C (35.6°F), according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
At 7am local time (6am Thailand time), Ta Kwu Ling in the New Territories registered a low of 2°C, while Tai Lung near Sheung Shui reached 3.8°C (38.8°F). Other areas experiencing cold temperatures included Pak Tam Chung (4.1°C/39.4°F), Shek Kong (5.5°C/41.9°F),Tai Mo Shan (6.2°C/43.2°F), Tate’s Cairn (6.9°C/44.4°F), Yuen Long (7.1°C/44.8°F), Happy Valley and Wong Chuk Hang (9.1°C/48.4°F), and The Peak (9.6°C/49.3°F).
The Observatory forecasts a maximum temperature of around 19°C (66.2°F) during the day, with a slight warming trend expected over the weekend. A dry northeast monsoon is predicted to bring mainly fine weather to the Guangdong coast in the middle and latter parts of next week.
A cold weather alert issued at 6am was cancelled at 11am. However, a red fire danger warning remains in effect, indicating a high risk of fire due to very dry conditions. Relative humidity is expected to drop as low as 25%. On Thursday, Hong Kong recorded it’s lowest January humidity level ever, reaching 17%.
Dr. Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, Controller of the Center for Health Protection, warned residents that the winter flu season is approaching and urged those who haven’t already to get vaccinated. He noted that the flu season typically occurs between January and March,and while the exact timing is uncertain,changing temperatures suggest it could begin soon.