Hong Kong recorded its hottest October with a mean temperature of 27.4°C and record-breaking hot days and nights, climate change cited as factor.
HONG KONG: The city experienced its hottest October since records began, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
The weather service attributed the exceptional warmth to a stronger than normal upper-air anticyclone covering southern China.
Cooler air from the north only reached the coast of southern China later in the month, contributing to the sustained high temperatures.
The monthly mean temperature reached 27.4 degrees Celsius, the highest ever recorded for October.
The monthly mean minimum temperature of 25.6 degrees also set a new record for the month.
Meanwhile, the monthly mean maximum temperature of 29.9 degrees was the second highest on record.
Hong Kong also recorded the highest number of “very hot days” since records began in 1884.
Very hot days are defined as those when temperatures climb to 33.0 degrees Celsius or above.
The city experienced seven hot nights during October, another record for the month.
October 19 saw a minimum temperature of 28.2 degrees, making it the latest hot night of any year on record.
The Observatory had previously noted Hong Kong experienced one of its most severe typhoon seasons.
At least 12 tropical cyclone warnings were issued this year, a record number since 1946.
Scientists warn extreme heat will become more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change.
Britain, Spain, Japan and South Korea all endured their hottest summers in 2025 according to their weather agencies.
The United Nations confirmed 2024 was the hottest year recorded globally.
Hong Kong also logged its hottest year since records began in 2024. – AFP
