Hong Kong swelters as Tropical Cyclone Dolphin sees temperatures exceed 38°C

Hong Kong sweltered under extreme heat on Saturday, with temperatures soaring above 38 degrees Celsius in some areas as Tropical Cyclone Dolphin influenced the weather. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) reported that the storm's outer subsiding air is persistently bringing scorching conditions to the territory.

The HKO predicts that the high-temperature weather will continue for the next couple of days, with some areas expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius or higher. Relief in the form of rain is anticipated by midweek, when a southwesterly airstream is expected to affect the Guangdong coast.

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its outer subsiding air will persistently bring extremely hot weather to the territory in the next couple of days. Temperatures in some areas will reach 37 degrees or above. High temperature weather is expected to continue midweek next week.

This intense heatwave comes amid warnings from the HKO about the potential for record-breaking high temperatures in Hong Kong in the coming years. Factors contributing to this trend include climate change and forecasts of a "super-strong" El Niño event, a natural climate phenomenon characterized by abnormally warm sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.

Research indicates that Hong Kong has already warmed by 1.7 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has noted the increasing intensity and frequency of heatwaves globally due to human-caused climate change. Scientists warn that without significant action, heat and humidity could reach lethal levels for extended periods by the end of the century, posing a serious risk to public health and safety.

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A southwesterly airstream is expected to affect the coast of Guangdong midweek next week.