Hong Kong swelters under record Mid-Autumn Festival heat

HONG KONG: &nbsp, Hong Kong experienced its hottest Mid-Autumn Festival since records began in 1884 with temperatures hitting 33.8 degrees Celsius, the city’s weather service said on Tuesday ( Sep 17 ).

The Hong Kong Observatory advised the people to drink more water and avoid strenuous outdoor activities after the city’s weather was “very warm.”

The Observatory’s optimum temperature was 33.8 degrees until noon, which is the hottest Mid-Autumn Event ever recorded, according to the station, adding that conditions in some areas of the city exceeded 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

People all over China typically celebrate the holiday time, when the sun is said to be at its fullest, with dishes, cakes, and lights.

However, the centre predicted later on Tuesday that the moon-gazers in Hong Kong would experience overcast weather with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Following its hottest-ever summers in 2023, Hong Kong this year also logged a “much hotter than usual” summers with a mean temperature of 29.4 degree Fahrenheit, the centre said before.

Following 2018, the top three coolest times in Hong Kong’s story were all uncovered.

China experienced a june of extreme conditions and heatwaves across much of its north and west, according to its national weather service, making it its hottest August in more than six years.

Globally, experts warn intense heat will become more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate shift.