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Hong Kong has experienced its coldest February in 40 years with the monthly mean temperature of 13.3 degrees being 3 degrees below normal. The total rainfall in the month was 27.5 millimetres, about 47% below normal.
Under the influence of an intense northeast monsoon, the cold spell which started on January 24 persisted for 24 days until February 16. This was the longest cold spell in 40 years. The minimum temperature fell to 7.9 degrees on February 3, the lowest so far this winter. Except for the sunny periods on February 3 and 9, the weather was generally cloudy with rain patches in the first 17 days of the month.
With the moderation of the northeast monsoon, the weather became mainly fine and dry on February 18. The generally fine and dry weather continued for the next three days.
A broad cloud band over south China brought cloudy and rainy conditions to the territory from February 22 to 26.
After the passage of a cold front across the south China coast on February 26, the weather became cold, fine and dry on February 27 and 28. A cloud band moved across Guangdong from west to east and brought cloudy weather to Hong Kong on the last day 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/signals in the month are summarized in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of February are tabulated in Table 1.2.
Ends/Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:20
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