Hong Kong set to match 2016 record for hottest ‘minor heat’ day in Chinese solar calendar

The lowest “minor heat” temperatures were recorded on July 7, 2008, at 26.6 degrees, while the highest were logged in 2016 at 34 degrees.

The Hong Kong Observatory predicted that the weather would be very hot on Saturday, accompanied by isolated showers. The temperatures are expected to be between 29 to 34 degrees.

Leung Wing-mo, a former assistant director of the Observatory, said rural areas might record a higher temperature.

“The New Territories may even record 36 degrees on that day,” Leung said.

He added the weather on that day would still be affected by various factors, including rainfall and wind.

“We need to put emphasis on the tendency of the temperature and keep track of the record breakthrough,” Leung warned.

Last month, a “very hot weather” warning, indicating the temperature has reached 33 degrees or more, was issued for more than a week. The heatwave matched a record set in 2016, when nine straight days of such warnings were issued in June, according to the forecaster.

The maximum temperature of 34 degrees recorded on June 21 also matched the record for the hottest summer solstice in 1980.

The Observatory recorded 54 very hot days last year, as well as four extremely hot days when the maximum temperature reached 35 degrees or above.

The forecaster’s earlier climate projections said the city could see as many as 80 very hot days by mid-century under the highest greenhouse gas emission scenario.