‘Intense’ polar vortex could bring ice storm to New Territories: chill running through Hong Kong expected to last a week

History of snow falls and frost in Hong Kong show it’s not impossible it could happen again

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Frost on HK Observatory equipment is a sign of the regular appearance of such cold conditions at certain times of the year. Photo: HKO

Published: 2:45pm, 19 Jan 2016Updated: 1:39pm, 22 Jan 2016

A polar vortex is expected to hit the New Territories but could spare urban areas from frost, ice and sleet over the weekend.

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The Hong Kong Observatory predicts chilling conditions over the coming weekend which some internet commentators have said could bring snow.

While snow may seem unlikely, frost and ice is expected, said Christy Leung, HKO Scientific Officer.

Brrr. Frost on Tai Mo Shan, 2010. Photo: HK Observatory

“I think there could be chances of frost or ice in the NT or on high ground,” she said. “We expect it will be a few degrees lower than the urban areas.”

But the coming ice-storm is not so unbelievable in the sub-tropical city. Peaks in Hong Kong like Tai Mo Shan have been put in the deep freeze during polar vortex conditions before – frost was even seen in Fanling in March 2010.

READ MORE: Snow in Hong Kong? City facing big chill but internet rumours could be flaky

The lowest temperature the HKO has observed is water’s freezing point, zero degrees, in 1893, but snow has hit at ground level another four times at least, in February and December 1967, in January 1971 and December 1975.

The closest Hongkongers have been to snow on home turf is likely a snow carnival like this one at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The Observatory’s blog added that since air temperatures are measured two metres above the ground then it may have been colder below, making frost a more common and understandable occurrence.