The blistering conditions are being driven by Tropical Cyclone Dolphin, which is currently moving across eastern China.
The storm’s outer subsiding air is bringing exceptionally hot weather to the territory, a phenomenon that is expected to persist through Wednesday and Thursday before easing as Dolphin eventually dissipates.
Senior scientific officer Cheung Ping addressed the prolonged heatwave on an RTHK radio programme, explaining the storm’s trajectory and impact on Hong Kong’s weather patterns.
“After about a day or two, we expect it will dissipate. The weather will start to become less stable – it won’t stay sunny and clear all day,” he said.
“There will be more clouds, followed by some rain. We’re now thinking that later this week, there may even be localised thunderstorms. By then, the hot weather should ease a bit.”
The Observatory urged residents to stay well-hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the heatwave.
The government has also addressed concerns about Hong Kong’s heat stress warning system, after the lowest-level amber warning was in force on Sunday, when the city experienced its hottest day on record.
The Labour Department explained that while the temperature is a crucial factor, it is only one of several risk elements for heat stress.
A spokesman noted that humidity was low and wind conditions were favourable on Sunday, meaning the issuance of the amber warning was in line with the established mechanism.
However, Fay Siu, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, said on a radio programme that authorities should adopt international standards instead.
Siu pointed to data collected under the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature – an international metric for measuring environmental heat stress on the human body.
Noting that under that system there would be many days which would have warranted red or even black work warnings, Siu urged authorities to find ways to bridge this gap.
