HKO reminds public to prepare for intense cold surge

     With the pressure over northern China rising significantly today (December 28), the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) forecasts that its associated intense cold surge will affect Hong Kong from this Wednesday (December 30). Members of the public should prepare for the coming cold weather.

     The HKO forecasts that local weather will turn considerably colder this Wednesday and Thursday, with high winds especially offshore and on high ground. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, temperatures are expected to drop to around seven to eight degrees Celsius in the urban areas, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. Morning temperatures will remain low in the following few days.

     The HKO urges members of the public to prepare for the persistent cold weather in a timely manner, such as having sufficient warm clothing in place and taking appropriate safety measures to protect themselves and their families under low temperatures. Members of the public should also take care of the elderly and persons with chronic medical conditions and render assistance to them as appropriate. When participating in outdoor activities, especially hiking, members of the public should stay vigilant and avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds that may lead to hypothermia. They should also beware of the high winds, which will make people feel especially cold.

     The weather will be fine and very dry during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. To ensure safety, extra caution should be exercised when handling fire, using heaters or fan heaters.

     The public can obtain the latest weather forecast and the nine-day weather forecast by using the HKO's Dial-a-Weather service at 1878 200, or the HKO's mobile app "MyObservatory", or visiting the HKO's website at the following links:

     Weather forecast: www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/flw.htm

     Nine-day weather forecast: www.weather.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm