Hong Kong set for first taste of autumn as a strong northeast monsoon approaches

Hong Kong could be in store for its first real taste of autumn early next week, with temperatures forecast to dip below 20 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) as a strong northeast monsoon approaches the Guangdong coast.

The Hong Kong Observatory said the monsoon would bring windy conditions to the region over the weekend, with offshore areas and high ground expected to experience strong winds at times on Saturday.

Temperatures across southern China were expected to fall between early and midweek next week next week under the influence of the dry replenishment of the monsoon.

According to the Observatory’s latest forecasts, the temperature would dip to a low of 21 degrees on Tuesday, with readings in many parts of Hong Kong even expected to drop below 20 degrees at around 7am.

Wong Chuk Hang, Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Tai Po and Sha Tin were forecast to record 19 degrees, while Tseung Kwan O and Shek Kong were expected to fall to 18 degrees.

Ta Kwu Ling was expected to be the coolest spot at 17 degrees.

Despite the cooler mornings, daytime temperatures in urban areas could still reach as high as 27 degrees.

The mercury was then expected to rebound by several degrees after Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to range between 24 and 28 degrees next Thursday.

Under the influence of an easterly airstream, the city will be relatively windy on Wednesday.

The temperature will stand at between 25 and 30 degrees until Sunday, before the mercury gradually goes down.

Last month, Hong Kong sweltered through its warmest October on record, as an extremely strong El Nino, a weak northeast monsoon and a persistent anticyclone aloft over southern China combined to drive temperatures to unprecedented highs.

The Observatory said earlier that the mean temperature last month was 27.6 degrees, making it the hottest October since records began in 1884.