Hong Kong residents have been advised to keep warm and take care of the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, as the mercury is expected to plunge to the low teens.
While the average temperature on Monday afternoon stood at 25.6 degrees Celsius, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) warned that the city would become “appreciably cooler” on Tuesday, as a cold front moves across the coast of Guangdong around midnight.
Minimum temperatures will be about 14 degrees Celsius in urban areas on Wednesday and Thursday, with parts of the New Territories expected to be even colder.
The public should brace for the wind-chill effect, the HKO warned, saying that the impact would be “rather significant” under the influence of the intense northeast monsoon.
“Members of the public are advised to be aware of the change in weather, keep warm and take care of the elderly and persons with chronic medical conditions,” the Observatory said.
On Monday, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and the Department of Health urged senior citizens, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants, and children to take measures to protect their health in light of the significant drop in temperature.
The elderly and those with chronic conditions should wear warm clothing, consume sufficient food to ensure enough calorie intake, exercise regularly to boost blood circulation and heat production, and stay in a warm environment.
Alcoholic drinks should be avoided as they can dilate blood vessels and speed up heat loss, the CHP said.
Parents should ensure that young children are dressed warmly but do not overheat, while outdoor workers are advised to wear appropriate clothing for work and take breaks when the cold weather warning is in force.
The CHP also warned that activity and community transmission of respiratory pathogens, such as influenza and Covid-19, may increase during winter.
The health authorities called on the elderly, children, and other people at a higher risk of infection and complications to receive influenza vaccinations early.
