Hong Kong is experiencing a cold snap with lows of 6 degrees Celsius, and highs of 10 degrees Celsius, predicted for Tuesday.
“An intense winter monsoon and upper-air disturbance will affect Guangdong in the next couple of days. It will be very cold and windy with a few rain patches over the region,” the Observatory said.
Wednesday will see lows of 8 degrees Celsius, and highs of 12 degrees Celsius.
The mercury will slowly rise during the rest of the week, the Observatory said, with Thursday set to see a minimum temperate of 11 degrees Celsius ahead of a rainy weekend. Highs of 20 degrees Celsius are forecast to return next Monday.
The government opened 18 temporary cold shelters across several districts on Monday.
In a Monday press release, the Social Welfare Department urged residents to check on the elderly during the cold spell. “Relatives, friends and neighbours are encouraged to show concern and care for the health of frail elderly persons, particularly those living alone,” it said.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection said in a Monday press release that “cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illness or other chronic illnesses.”
