Today's Weather
FoundationWatch the clouds, sunshine, rain, wind and temperature daily, learn to read the forecast, and you can plan activities and dress right.
- Weather includes cloud, sun, rain, snow, wind and temperature.
- Weather changes daily; check the forecast before going out.
- The Hong Kong Observatory issues forecasts and warnings.
文體小知識：說明文把知識講得清清楚楚。這一篇教你認識各種天氣，學會看天氣預報，按天氣計劃活動和選衣著。
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1Pull back the curtains in the morning: the sun high in the sky means a sunny day; a sky full of clouds hiding the sun means a cloudy day; sometimes rain comes pattering down. Weather differs every day, and Hong Kong is full of changes — cool in the morning, hot at noon, maybe a sudden shower by evening.
2Weather includes cloud, sunshine, rain, snow, wind and temperature. Hong Kong lies in the south and never snows in winter, but winters abroad bring falling snow; on windy days branches sway and flags flutter; temperature tells us cold from hot — Hong Kong summers often top thirty degrees, while winter sometimes drops below ten.
3How do we know tomorrow's weather? Read the Hong Kong Observatory's forecast: TV, radio and phones report sunshine and rain, temperature and wind, plus rainstorm warnings and typhoon signals that remind everyone to prepare — take an umbrella out, or bring the drying clothes inside.
4Knowing the weather, we can plan: sunny days suit picnics, kite-flying and hiking in the park; rainy days mean staying home with books and board games; when a typhoon comes, stay indoors, shut the windows well, and never go to the sea to watch the waves. Following the weather keeps play fun and safe.
5Dress to match the weather too: short sleeves on hot days with plenty of water for the sweat; an extra jacket on cool days; umbrella or raincoat and water shoes in the rain. Be a little weather reporter — look at the sky and hear the forecast before going out, and keep a weather diary every day!
1Summary 重點摘要
Watch the clouds, sunshine, rain, wind and temperature daily, learn to read the forecast, and you can plan activities and dress right.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The cloud, sun, rain, wind, heat and cold of a place right now.
Weather with the sun high and few clouds.
Weather with the sky full of clouds hiding the sun.
Weather with water falling from the sky; take an umbrella.
White ice crystals falling in cold places; Hong Kong winters have no snow.
Moving air; strong wind sways branches and flags.
How hot or cold the air is, measured with a thermometer.
Information telling the weather to come.
Hong Kong's department that watches the weather and issues warnings.
A fierce tropical storm of wind and rain; stay home when it hits.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Know the kinds of weatherWeather comes in a few main kinds: sunny — the sun high with few clouds; cloudy — a sky full of cloud with the sun hidden; rainy — drops falling and the ground wet; windy — branches swaying and flags fluttering; plus high or low temperature for hot and cold. In cold places snow drifts down in winter, but Hong Kong lies in the south and its winters bring no snow. Each day's weather is a mix of these, for example: today cloudy, light wind, twenty-two degrees.
- Step 2: Learn simple sky-watchingYou can judge the weather without instruments: look up — many clouds or few? How fierce is the sun? Feel how strong the wind is: are the leaves and flags moving? Check whether the ground is dry or wet to tell if it rained. With a thermometer at home, read the temperature; without one, use your body: short sleeves or a jacket today? Record your observations daily and compare after a week — you will find the weather changes every day.
- Step 3: Read the Observatory's forecastThe Hong Kong Observatory issues forecasts daily, on TV, radio, newspapers and phone apps. The forecast tells sun or cloud, rain or not, the highest and lowest temperatures, and how strong the wind will be. In bad weather the Observatory issues special warnings: amber, red and black rainstorm warnings mean ever heavier rain; the higher the typhoon signal number, the stronger the wind. When you hear these signals, remind your family to prepare, and before school check whether classes are suspended.
- Step 4: Plan activities by the weatherGood weather calls for outdoor fun: picnics, kite-flying and hiking in the park on sunny days, with a hat against the sun; cool autumn days are perfect for hiking. Bad weather means indoor fun: reading, board games and crafts at home on rainy days, or visiting a museum; during typhoons and black rainstorms stay home, away from windows, and keep clear of the sea and low-lying spots. Checking the weather before planning means no wasted trips and no getting caught in the rain.
- Step 5: Choose clothes by the weatherDress to match: on hot days wear short sleeves and light trousers with a hat against the sun; on cool or cold days wear long sleeves and add a jacket or scarf to keep hands and feet warm; on rainy days take an umbrella or wear a raincoat, with water shoes or sandals so cloth shoes do not soak through. Before going out, do a small check: read the forecast, look at the sky, then decide what to wear and bring. Dressed right, you stay comfortable all day and avoid chills or heatstroke.
- Step 6: Keep a weather diaryPrepare a little notebook for a weather diary: observe the sky at a fixed time each day, say seven in the morning, and record with simple symbols — a circle with rays for sunny, a cloud for cloudy, drops for rain; note the temperature and wind too. Keep it up for two weeks, then compare: which day was hottest? How many days of rain? Did the wind change? You will find yourself an observer like the Observatory's own staff, learning weather patterns through your records.
5Worked example Example
Example: the Observatory forecasts sunshine, twenty-eight degrees and a light breeze tomorrow. The class wants to visit a country park — how should they dress and plan the activities?
- Read the forecast first: sunny, twenty-eight degrees, light breeze — warm, few clouds and not windy, fine for outdoor activities.
- Choose activities: hiking, a picnic and kite-flying, resting in the shade and avoiding the fiercest midday sun.
- Choose clothes: light short sleeves and sports shoes, a hat against the sun, and water bottles for drinks.
- Be prepared: bring a thin jacket for cool winds in the hills or the evening chill, and check again for any sudden change before setting off.
- Answer: Sunny with a light breeze suits hiking, picnics and kite-flying in the country park; at twenty-eight degrees wear short sleeves and sports shoes, wear a hat, bring water and a thin jacket, and avoid the midday sun — fun and safe at once.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1The sky is full of clouds and the sun is hidden. What weather is this?
Q2What does temperature show?
Q3Which Hong Kong department issues weather forecasts?
Q4What should you take out on a rainy day?
Q5What should we do when a typhoon hits Hong Kong?
8Recap Recap
- Weather includes cloud, sun, rain, snow, wind and temperature.
- Weather changes daily; check the forecast before going out.
- The Hong Kong Observatory issues forecasts and warnings.
- Plan by the weather; stay home in typhoons and black rain.
- Dress by the temperature and take an umbrella in rain.