Hong Kong Sees Record 36.9°C Heat as Tropical Cyclone Dolphin Influences Weather

Hong Kong experienced its hottest day on record Sunday, as temperatures soared to a blistering 36.9 degrees Celsius at the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) headquarters. This historic reading, the highest since records began in 1884, occurred as a severe heatwave, exacerbated by the outer bands of Tropical Cyclone Dolphin, continued to grip the city.

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With Tropical Cyclone Dolphin moving towards the vicinity of Zhejiang and moving inland, its outer subsiding air will persistently bring extremely hot weather to the territory today to Tuesday.

Temperatures in other parts of Hong Kong reportedly exceeded 38 degrees Celsius. The Observatory forecasts that the extreme heat will persist through Tuesday, driven by subsiding air from the cyclone moving inland. "High temperature weather is expected to continue midweek this week," the HKO stated, though it anticipates unsettled weather with increased showers by Wednesday, which may offer slight relief.

This record-breaking heat adds to growing concerns about climate change's impact. The HKO had previously warned of potential record temperatures due to global warming and a forecasted "super-strong" El Niño event. El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon characterized by abnormally warm sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, can significantly influence global weather patterns.

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High temperature weather is expected to continue midweek this week.

Research indicates Hong Kong has already warmed by 1.7 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. A 2023 study suggests that by the end of the century, heat and humidity could reach lethal levels for extended periods, rendering outdoor activity impossible in some global regions. The increasing intensity and frequency of heatwaves globally have been linked to human-caused climate change and the prevalence of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

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Upper-air disturbances will bring unsettled weather to southern China in the latter part of this week. Showers will increase and high temperature weather will be alleviated slightly over the region.