The cold weather warning is in force as the temperatures across Hong Kong plunged over the weekend to below 10 degrees Celsius on Monday morning. Cold shelters are open and the government has issued warnings to the public.
The Hong Kong Observatory’s Chan Siu-wai said that the temperature in Ta Kwu Ling dropped from 16 degrees Celsius on Sunday to eight degrees Celsius on Monday. He added that the lowest temperatures recorded in most places on Monday morning was around nine degrees.
According to the HKO, the cold weather is the result of an intense winter monsoon. “As it is rather windy on high ground, wind chill effect will be significant.”
It warned that the temperature experienced will be lower than the actual air temperature, and that prolonged exposure to winds could cause hypothermia.
The Home Affairs Department opened 17 temporary shelters on Sunday, and they will remain open during Monday daytime when the warning is still in force.
The 17 temporary cold shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Districts:
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Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, 2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern/Wan Chai –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, Waiting Lobby,
7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Kowloon Districts:
——————
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
Multi-purpose Room, 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
Hall, G/F, 45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Sham Shui Po –
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories:
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North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House
Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing –
Tai Wo Hau Estate Community Centre
15 Tai Wo Hau Road, Kwai Chung
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
The Labour Department has reminded employers that they should make suitable arrangements for employees working outdoors.
The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection has also stated that the public – in particular the elderly and those with chronic illnesses – should protect their health during the cold weather.
The weather forecast on Monday is cold with moderate to fresh northerly winds.
The cold weather is expected to persist this week, with the minimum temperature at nine degrees or under.
