Hong Kong's Hottest April in 140 Years... Average Temperature Revealed

Average Minimum Temperature 27.7°C, Average Maximum Temperature 28.8°C
Thailand and Southeast Asia Also Suffering from Scorching Heat

Hong Kong has been engulfed by record-breaking heat. It has reached the highest level in 140 years since weather observations began in 1884.

On the 2nd, AFP reported that Hong Kong's average temperature last month was 26.4 degrees Celsius. The Hong Kong Observatory stated on social media, "Hong Kong recorded the hottest April since temperature measurements began 140 years ago," adding, "Even though summer has not yet arrived, we have already experienced record-breaking heat in April."

Scenery of the Hong Kong sky
[Photo by Hong Kong RTHK website capture]

In particular, on the 27th of last month, the average minimum temperature was 27.7 degrees Celsius and the average maximum temperature was 28.8 degrees Celsius, the highest for April temperatures. Typically, Hong Kong's average temperature in April ranges from 21.1 to 25.6 degrees Celsius based on data from 1991 to 2020.

On March 24th, Hong Kong also recorded a daytime high of 31.5 degrees Celsius, the highest March temperature in 140 years since observations began. This is attributed to global abnormal heat phenomena caused by global warming and El Ni?o effects.

Earlier, a study from China predicted that due to heatwaves caused by climate change, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) could decrease by 3 to 5% by 2050. Last month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited climate change research published in the scientific journal Nature, forecasting more frequent and intense heatwaves in the future.

Accordingly, the team of climate scientists and economists involved in the study projected that global economic losses due to heatwaves could reach 0.6 to 4.6% of GDP by 2060.

Record-breaking heatwaves continue in the Southeast Asia region, causing a series of damages including deaths from heatstroke.
[Photo by AP/Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about power shortages as record-breaking heatwaves hit Southeast Asia. In fact, at the end of last month, 26 regions in Thailand recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. In the northern Lampang province, the highest temperature soared to 44.2 degrees Celsius.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasted on the 30th of last month that the heat index in the capital, Bangkok, would exceed 52 degrees Celsius. Since March, more than 30 people have died from heatstroke. In the Philippines, the heat index approached 47 degrees Celsius, leading to a nationwide school closure. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration announced on the 27th of last month that the capital Manila recorded 38.8 degrees Celsius, and northern regions of the Philippines reached 39.2 degrees Celsius.

Vietnam also recently recorded a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius. The Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration expects the heat to continue through May. The state-owned Vietnam Electricity company reported that electricity consumption recently hit an all-time high due to the heatwave.

Earlier, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a "red alert," warning that global heatwaves this year are likely to break records. South Korea has also entered a preparedness system. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has prepared manuals for different target groups to prevent heat-related illnesses during the summer heatwaves.