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February 6, 2018

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HK has its coldest run-up to spring for over 10 years

Source: Xinhua | 00:01 UTC+8 February 6, 2018 | Print Edition

Hong Kong Observatory issued the cold weather warning for the ninth consecutive day yesterday, as the minimum temperature in Hong Kong’s urban areas remained below 10 degrees Celsius for over a week.

Hong Kong Observatory issued the Cold Weather Warning early yesterday, forecasting that “cold weather is expected in the next few days” and advising people to “put on warm clothes” and “avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds.”

According to weather report updated by Hong Kong Observatory at noon yesterday, the minimum temperature in urban areas was 8 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, which marked this year’s beginning of spring in Chinese solar terms, the minimum temperature in Hong Kong was 9 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest start to spring in over 10 years.

With the cold weather warning constantly in force, the Center for Health Protection of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government repeatedly reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health from diseases that might be triggered or exacerbated by the cold weather.

“Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm and their body temperature control mechanism may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to the cold weather,” a center spokesman said.

The government’s Labor Department also reminded employers that they should take appropriate precautions especially for employees who have to work outdoors or in remote areas.

In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 17 temporary shelters for people in need of the service.

A staff member surnamed Wong at one of the temporary shelters said the shelter provides people with mattresses, quilts, hot water and food such as instant noodles.

“We provide two hot meals everyday, lunch and dinner, and we will also offer them warm clothes if needed,” Wong said, adding that the staff have been working on three shifts during the past week to ensure the shelters are open 24 hours.

A spokesman of the Home Affairs Department said the temporary shelters have been open since Wednesday when the cold weather warning was first issued, and the users totaled over 500 each night.

Hong Kong Observatory forecasts that cold and dry weather will persist until Thursday, with daytime temperatures rising in the latter part of this week.

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