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Hong Kong swelters under hottest ‘Great Heat’ day in 44 years, Observatory says

Temperature soars above 35 degrees Celsius in some parts of the New Territories and the forecast is for an equally hot weekend

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A woman poses for a picture at Big Wave Bay on a sweltering day. Photo: Yves Sieur

Hong Kong is already in the grip of a heatwave, but if Friday was particularly sweltering it was because parts of the city experienced the hottest “Great Heat” day in 44 years.

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“Great Heat” is a term from the traditional Chinese calendar for the day, usually at the end of July, that marks the hottest time of the year.

Hong Kong regional temperatures at noon on July 22.
Hong Kong regional temperatures at noon on July 22.

The average temperature surged to 32.9 degrees Celsius on Friday, but the mercury in some districts such as Sheung Shui and Tai Po soared above 35 degrees.

Hong Kong Observatory scientific officer Lau Po-wing linked the heatwave to a subtropical ridge bringing fine weather to southern China, with strong sunshine keeping temperatures high.

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He forecast the heatwave would continue and the mercury would hover at 33 degrees on Saturday and 34 degrees on Sunday. The New Territories would see hotter conditions.

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