Hong Kong Climate and Best Time to Travel
Climate
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, being temperate for nearly half the year, with cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers.
Winter lasts from January to March with January and February more cloudy, with occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 10 °C in urban areas. February is the coldest month in Hong Kong, when the temperature averages 16°C.
March and April are very pleasant, however, there are occasional spells of high humidity, fog and drizzle can be particularly troublesome.
May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and the highest temperatures often exceed 31°C.
July to September are the months during which Hong Kong is most likely to be affected by tropical cyclones.
The annual rainfall ranges from around 1300 millimetres to more than 3000 millimetres. About 80 percent of the rain falls between May and September.
The wettest month is August, when rain occurs about four days out of seven and the average monthly rainfall at the Observatory is 391.4 millimetres. The driest month is January, when the monthly average is only 23.4 millimetres and rain falls only about six days a month.
Average Temperature and Rainfall by Month
| Hong Kong | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Rainfall (mm) | 27 | 44 | 75 | 140 | 298 | 399 | 371 | 377 | 297 | 119 | 38 | 25 |
| Rainfall (inches) | 1.1 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 5.5 | 11.7 | 15.7 | 14.6 | 14.8 | 11.7 | 4.7 | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| Min Temp (°C) | 14 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 19 | 15 |
| Max Temp (°C) | 19 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 20 |
| Min Temp (°F) | 56 | 57 | 62 | 68 | 75 | 79 | 80 | 79 | 78 | 74 | 67 | 60 |
| Max Temp (°F) | 65 | 65 | 70 | 77 | 84 | 86 | 89 | 88 | 86 | 82 | 76 | 69 |
Table from: worldtravels.com
Seasons
Spring (March to mid-May) |
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Temperatures and humidity rise gradually in spring. Evenings can be cool but lightweight jackets should suffice. The average temperature ranges from 18°C-27°C (64°F-80°F), humidity about 82 per cent.
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Summer (late May to mid-September) |
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Hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 26°C-33°C (78°F-91°F) and humidity near 86 per cent. Short sleeves and cotton clothes should be worn with a lightweight sweater for indoors as restaurants tend to set air-conditioning on high. An umbrella or hat is useful to ward off the sun. June to AugustChangeable weather is common. In this hot and humid season, you’ll need a full suitcase of T-Shirts and sun cream. The average temperature is about 30°C (86°F). Occasional showers, thunderstorms and typhoons will occur during this period. SeptemberSeptember is one of the best months to visit this city with less humidity and rain to ruin your holiday. The average low and high temperatures are respectively 26°C (79°F) and 30°C (86°F). Summer clothes will still do, but you also need to prepare a thin sweater to cope with cooler temperatures during tropical storms. Recommended Tours in Summer: |
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Autumn (late September to early December) |
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Clear and sunny days are the norm in autumn. Short sleeves and light jackets are most suitable at this time of year. The average temperature ranges from 18°C-28°C (64°F-82°F), humidity about 72 per cent. OctoberIt is a pleasant month with clear skies, constant sunshine and warmth. The average low and high temperatures are respectively at 23°C (73°F) and 28°C (82°F). A light sweater is useful while cotton T-shirts do. NovemberIt gradually becomes cooler with low humidity. The average temperature is 22°C (72°F). Thin sweater or light jackets are enough to cope with the weather. Recommended Tours in Autumn: |
Winter (mid-December to February) |
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Winters are mild with low humidity at 72 per cent. Though the temperature ranging from 14°C-20°C (57°F-68°F), the mercury can drop to 10°C (50°F). Occasional chills make woolens and overcoats necessary. DecemberIt gradually turns to winter in December. There is noticeable drop in temperature between day and night. It is generally sweater weather, with a coat for cooler times. The average low and high temperatures are respectively 16°C (61°F) and 20°C (68°F). Christmas comes in this month, and it’s celebrated all over Hong Kong. JanuaryThe coldest month in Hong Kong, It’s somewhat chilly but usually dry and mild. The average temperature is about 15°C (59°F). Shirts, sweater and coats are advised. FebruaryThe weather in February is cool. The average low and high temperatures are respectively 14°C (57°F) and 19°C (66°F). The average rainfall is just 46mm over an average five days. Recommended Tours in Winter: |
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The Best Time to Travel
Hong Kong is called Shopping Paradise which is an all-year-round destination. However, the best time to visit Hong Kong is from the middle of September to the end of February.
The weather is cooler and major discounts are available during Christmas and New Year which ensures you a great savings in shopping. From glitzy malls to funky street markets, from trendy boutiques to traditional Chinese product stores, from the latest designer fashions and electronic gadgets to best-value antiques and collectibles, you can find everything on sale. Before starting your shopping tour, reading our shopping tips is suggested. We also have Hong Kong Shopping Tour pre-arranged to meet your needs.
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