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As the northeast monsoon affecting southern China was relatively weak, November 2011 was warmer than usual in Hong Kong. The mean temperature of the month was 23.0 degrees, 1.6 degrees above the normal figure of 21.4 degrees.
The month was also wetter than usual with the monthly total rainfall of 86.1 millimetres, more than double the normal figure of 35.1 millimetres. However, the accumulated rainfall since January 1 was only 1473.9 millimetres, a deficit of about 37 per cent compared to the normal figure of 2348.2 millimetres for the same period.
Dominated by a northeasterly airstream, the weather in Hong Kong was generally fine for the first five days of the month. With the development of a broad area of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea and under its combined effect with the fresh to strong northeasterlies, local weather became cloudy and windy with occasional rain from November 6 to 10. It was also cooler on November 9 and 10. The minimum temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory dropped to 17.7 degrees on November 10, which was the lowest for the month. With the weakening of the area of low pressure, local winds moderated gradually and there were still some light rain patches on November 11.
Under the prevalence of a continental airstream, it was mainly fine over the territory from November 12 to 16. With a broad cloud band covering the northern part of the South China Sea and the coast of Guangdong, local weather was cloudy with some rain for the next two days.
A cold front formed over southern China on November 18 and crossed the south China coast the next day. During the passage of the cold front, there were a few rain patches on the morning of November 19. Under the influence of the northeast monsoon behind the cold front, the weather became slightly cooler with sunny periods on November 20.
Affected by a fresh to strong easterly airstream, it was windy on November 21. A cloud band covering the coastal areas of Guangdong brought a few light rain patches to the territory on November 22. With a dry northeast monsoon arriving at southern China, local weather turned fine and dry for the next two days. Affected by another broad cloud band over southern China and the northern part of the South China Sea, it became cloudy with a few rain patches on November 25 and 26. As the cloud thinned out, the weather turned fine on November 27 and remained so for the rest of the month.
There was no tropical cyclone over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in the month.
Details of the issuance and cancellation of various warnings and signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for November are in Table 2.
Ends/Friday, December 2, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:50
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