A wet and relatively warm November

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November 2016 was characterised by relatively warm weather during the first three weeks, followed by rainy and cooler weather in the latter part of the month. Overall, the month was warmer and wetter than usual. The mean temperature for the month was 22.3 degrees, 0.5 degrees above the normal figure of 21.8 degrees. The monthly total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory was 131.3 millimetres, more than three times the November normal of 37.6 millimetres and the eighth highest on record for November. The accumulated rainfall of 3020.2 millimetres up to the end of November was about 27 per cent above the normal figure of 2371.7 millimetres for the same period.

Under the influence of a continental airstream, the weather in Hong Kong was generally fine and dry for the first seven days of the month. As a cold front moved across the coast of Guangdong on November 8, the local weather became cloudy with a few rain patches that day. Temperatures fell over the next two days as cool air under freshening northerly winds reached the coastal areas, and rain became more widespread over the territory.

With the northeast monsoon moderating, rain eased off on November 11 and sunny periods appeared on November 12 and 13. Under the influence of an upper-air anticyclone, the weather became generally fine and rather warm, temperatures at the Hong Kong Observatory rose to a maximum of 29.2 degrees on November 15, the highest of the month. Freshening easterly winds brought cloudier weather on the next day. After a fine day on November 17, moist maritime air moved towards the coast of Guangdong over the next few days, bringing with it a mixture of sunshine, clouds and rain patches.

Easterly winds strengthened and rain became heavier on November 22. The arrival of a cold front the next day brought appreciably cooler weather. Meanwhile, rain started to ease off as drier continental air reached the south China coastal areas, with some sunny intervals in Hong Kong on November 24 and 25. Yet, under the combined influence of moist maritime air lingering over the coast and a replenishment of the northeast monsoon, rainy weather returned on November 26. As northerly winds strengthened, temperatures fell during the day and dropped to a minimum of 12.8 degrees at the Hong Kong Observatory the next morning, the lowest of the month.

With the setting in of dry continental air, sunny periods emerged later on November 27 and the weather remained mostly fine and dry towards the end of the month.

Three tropical cyclones occurred 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 summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for November are tabulated in Table 2.

Ends/Friday, December 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:37

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Table 1 Warnings and Signals issued in November 2016

Table 2 Figures and Departures from Normal - November 2016