Hong Kong records hottest April in 140 years

Hong Kong experienced its warmest April on record, with an average daytime temperature of 26.4 degrees Celsius, according to the city’s weather observatory. This milestone marks the highest temperature recorded for the month since meteorological records began 140 years ago in 1884.

“Summer is not yet here but April was already record-breakingly hot,” announced the observatory on social media.

Data from the observatory revealed that Hong Kong, a subtropical city in China, has been contending with increasingly extreme heat in recent years, witnessing numerous high-temperature records, both daily and monthly, since 2019.

On April 27, the city established new daily temperature records for April, with the highest daily maximum hitting 28.8 degrees Celsius, and the highest daily low at 27.7 degrees Celsius. This represents a significant departure from the average daily temperature range of 21.1-25.6 degrees Celsius observed between 1991 and 2020.

The notably warm April follows an exceptionally warm winter from December to February and a much warmer than usual March. The observatory has predicted above-normal temperatures throughout the year.

In response to the escalating temperatures, Hong Kong’s labor department has updated its heat stress warning system, now linked to the observatory’s hot weather alerts. Additionally, it has extended the minimum duration of a heat advisory from 30 minutes to one hour, mandating rest periods or work suspension based on temperature levels and job types.

Despite reports of fatalities due to heatstroke at work, Hong Kong has not classified heatstroke as a work-related injury in its laws.

The labor department introduced its heat stress warning system last year. However, critics argue that its warning thresholds are too high and lack legal accountability for non-compliant employers.

Globally, scientists warn that human-induced climate change will lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing significant challenges for societies worldwide.

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