The climate of Hong Kong is a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa), just short of being a tropical wet-and-dry climate. Chinese people in Hong Kong have adopted many western folkways, but a substantial number of them still adhere to traditional Chinese traditions on various aspects of social living; for instance family solidarity, “courtesy and face” in interpersonal relationship. ... Hong Kong, a coastal city in southern China, has evolved from a fishing village, salt production site, trading and military port into an international financial centre that enjoys the worlds ninth highest GNP per capita,[1] and supports a third of foreign capital flows into China. ... Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by the Peoples Republic of China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... Humid subtropical climates are characterized by hot, humid summers and cool to mild winters. ... The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. ...

In December, January and February, the sky is typically overcast and occasional cold fronts are experienced, although it may be sunnier earlier on in winter. Temperatures can be low by Hong Kong standards, varying from around 7°C-15°C on a colder day. Snow and frost, however, are very unlikely to form (as sub-zero temperature are virtually non-existent at sea level although having occurred in local areas in the past. Rainfall is uncommon in this period of time. Cold weather and drizzles can persist once they begin. Winter weather usually ends in late February, although temperatures below 10°C have been recorded in mid-March. Less and less surges of the northeast monsoon arrive at Hong Kong's doorstep as winter goes on to spring. Cumulonimbus capillatus incus floating over Swifts Creek, Victoria in Australia A cloud is a visible mass of condensed droplets or frozen crystals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth or another planetary body. ... In meteorology, a weather front is a boundary between two air masses with differing characteristics (e. ... Animation of snowcover changing with the seasons Snow covering a leaf. ... Frost on black pipes Frost is a solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. ... For the singer, see Rain (singer). ...

From March to May, the chance of rainfall increases, and humidity is usually higher than in October and November. However, locals tend to welcome these months, as the searing summer heat has yet to arrive. Humidity is the concentration of water vapor in the air. ...

June to September are hottest months of the year. Temperature ranges between 26°C-34°C with high humidity (often remaining over 60-70% during the day, and even higher at night). These are also the months of thunderstorms. A typical forecast for a summer day includes hot and sunny conditions, with isolated showers and thunderstorms, but sometimes heavy rain. Hong Kong may be hit by typhoons during summer and early autumn, but these events are not unknown in late spring either. A shelf cloud associated with a heavy or severe thunderstorm over Enschede, The Netherlands. ... Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004 Hurricane and Typhoon redirect here. ...

In October and November the weather is generally sunny, and less rainfall occurs compared to the summer months. They are often considered the most pleasant months because of mild to warm temperatures without the high humidity experienced in spring and summer.

Tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones are classified in these four categories: tropical depressions, tropical storms, severe tropical storms and typhoons. If the tropical cyclone passes by Hong Kong at a distance, it may bring a little rain and wind that will not last for more than half a day. If it scores a direct hit, the winds can be deadly and it may rain for days. Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004 Hurricane and Typhoon redirect here. ...

Tropical cyclones are massive twisting air currents with hundreds of kilometres in width. They can only exist over warm oceans. When they hit the land, their moisture will dry out and they die out. The eye of a tropical cyclone is usually tens of kilometres wide and has a column of descending air. It can be entirely calm in contrast to the surrounding vortex. Eye of Category 4 Hurricane Isabel seen from the International Space Station on September 15, 2003 The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. ...

However, Hong Kong is only a small point on earth and hence the odds for a direct typhoon hit is quite rare. However, when it does occur, the Hong Kong Observatory issues the Typhoon Signal no. 10, the strongest storm warning issued by the agency. Hong Kong Observatory (Chinese: 香港天文台; Yale: hēung góng tīn màhn tòih, Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 tin1 man4 toi4; Mandarin Pinyin: Xiānggǎng Tiānwén Tái), known as the Royal Observatory (Chinese: 皇家香港天文台) before 1997, is a department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special... Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals (Traditional Chinese: ) or informally typhoon signals (颱風信號) are a set of signals used in Hong Kong to indicate the threat or effects of a tropical cyclone. ...

Climate Changes in the past decade

1997. 1997 was the wettest year since records began in 1884. Rainfall at the Hong Kong Observatory amounted to 3343.0 millimetres, 51 per cent above normal and exceeding the previous record set in 1982.

1998. It was the warmest year since records began in 1884. The annual mean temperature was 24.0 degrees, 0.2 degrees higher than the previous record set in 1966. The annual mean daily minimum temperature of 22.1 degrees was also the highest on record.

1999. With an annual mean temperature of 23.8 degrees, 1999 was the third warmest year on record. The monthly mean temperatures for all months except May, August and December were above their respective normal figures.

2000. The year 2000 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.3 degrees was the tenth highest on record and the mean minimum temperature of 21.5 degrees was the sixth highest. The annual total rainfall of 2752.3 millimetres was 24 per cent above normal.

2001. The year 2001 was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature of 23.6 degrees was 0.6 degree above normal, ranking the sixth highest on record. The mean minimum temperature of 21.8 degrees was the second highest on record. The annual total rainfall of 3091.8 millimetres also ranked the fourth highest.

2002. The year 2002 was the second warmest year on record. The mean temperature of 23.9 degrees was 0.9 degree above normal.

2003. The year 2003 was the sixth warmest year since records began in 1884. The mean temperature, 23.6 degrees, was 0.6 degrees above normal.

2004. Globally, the year 2004 was the fourth warmest year since instrumental temperature record began in 1861. In Hong Kong, 2004 was the ninth warmest year on record. The annual mean temperature was 23.4 degrees, 0.4 degree above normal.

2005. Locally in Hong Kong, 2005 was the third wettest year on record. The total rainfall of 3214.5 millimetres was 45.2 percent above normal.

2006. Globally, the year 2006 is the sixth warmest year on record. In Hong Kong, it was the eighth warmest year since record began in 1884. The annual mean temperature of 23.5 degrees was 0.5 degree higher than normal.

See also

• Geography of Hong Kong
• Ecology of Hong Kong

Other Hong Kong topics Culture - Economy Education - History - Politics Hong Kong Portal The Geography of Hong Kong primarily consists of three main territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. ... The ecology of Hong Kong is mostly affected by the results of climatic changes. ...

External links

• Hong Kong Observatory web site
• Hong Kong Underground Observatory web site
• The Climate Information site from HKO