Hong Kong records its coldest temperature since 1988, large scale crop damage reported

Hong Kong has registered its coldest temperature since 1988 as the mercury in Ta Kwu Ling hit 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) on Wednesday morning, January 13, 2021.

According to The Standard, temperatures plummeted below the freezing point in some parts of New Territories on Wednesday morning. Ta Kwu Ling recorded 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) — its lowest temperature since 1988 when records there began. 

Farmers in Sheung Shui reported large scale damages as the frost covered many crops.

Hong Kong Observatory said a phenomenon called radiative cooling is behind the piercing cold. Temperatures are expected to get warmer in the next few days, before a reverse at the beginning of the following week.

Radiation cooling is the maximum cooling of the ground which happens under clear skies, dry conditions, and light winds. During winter, a huge temperature difference sometimes occurs between the urban area and the New Territories.

The winter monsoon will slightly moderate in the next couple of days, bringing warmer temperatures from Thursday to Saturday, January 14 to 6. Cold temperatures will still be felt in the morning over inland areas.

Another surge of winter monsoon will impact Hong Kong early next week, bringing cool temperatures and some rain in the middle and latter parts of next week. 

Featured image credit: Jasmine Chan, Quincy Ngan