Hong Kong swelters in hottest temperature of the year – for the second time
Observatory says scorching weather with poor air quality expected to continue on Tuesday
Hong Kong recorded its highest temperature of the year for the second time on Monday, with the mercury soaring to 37.7 degrees Celsius in some areas, matching last month’s maximum as the city braced itself for more scorching weather.
Hong Kong Observatory scientific officer Lee Yiu-fai said the city was likely to experience similarly hot conditions on Tuesday, with showers later in the day.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Hato – which is currently about 1,000km east-southeast of the city – is approaching Guangdong province, and is expected to come within 200km of the city on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain.
It is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it reaches mainland China on Wednesday, but Lee cautioned that it was difficult to determine the storm’s path and strength.
“There’s quite a lot of uncertainty about its strength,” he said. “The forecast may change.”
The approaching storm was also to blame for pollution levels that were higher than normal in many areas of the city, the Environmental Protection Department said in a statement.
