Hong Kong's Seasons and Climate
FoundationHong Kong has four seasons — damp spring, hot stormy summer, dry autumn and cool winter — so clothing and activities follow the seasons.
- Hong Kong has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons.
- Spring is damp, summer hot with typhoons, autumn dry, winter cool.
- Seasons change what we wear and do, and how farmers and fishermen work.
文體小知識：說明文把知識講得清楚明白。這一篇按春夏秋冬的次序，介紹香港的氣候和季節變化。
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1Hong Kong lies on the southern coast of China. It has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. In summer, warm damp winds come from the sea, bringing heat and rain; in winter, dry and cool monsoon winds blow from the north. This climate keeps Hong Kong from being unbearably hot in summer and free of snow in winter, yet the seasons still differ clearly.
2Spring, from March to May, is warm and very humid, with fog over the sea. In the damp spell called wui nam tin, tiny drops of water appear on walls and floors and clothes stay damp for days, so we use dehumidifiers. Spring weather changes quickly — sometimes as warm as summer, sometimes suddenly cool — so check the forecast before going out and take a jacket and an umbrella.
3Summer runs from June to August: hot and humid, often above 31 degrees, with showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. July to September is the typhoon season. People wear short sleeves and enjoy swimming, watermelon and herbal tea to keep cool. Outdoors, wear a hat and drink plenty of water to avoid heat stroke; when you hear thunder, leave open ground at once.
4Autumn, from September to November, is sunny and dry with cool breezes — the best season for hiking, camping and flying kites, and families climb hills at Chung Yeung. Winter, from December to February, is cool and dry, sometimes below 12 degrees, so sweaters and coats come out. Still, Hong Kong never snows and is warmer than many northern cities.
5Seasons shape what we wear, eat and do: take an umbrella and drinking water in summer, add clothes in winter. Farmers plant and harvest by season, and fishermen go to sea by the weather. The Hong Kong Observatory watches the weather every day and issues forecasts and warnings, helping everyone prepare for the turning seasons.
1Summary 重點摘要
Hong Kong has four seasons — damp spring, hot stormy summer, dry autumn and cool winter — so clothing and activities follow the seasons.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The usual weather of a place over many years; Hong Kong's is mild and damp.
The zone between the tropics and temperate lands; Hong Kong lies in it.
Spring, summer, autumn and winter — the year's regular changes in weather.
The amount of water vapour in the air; when it is high, we feel sticky.
Damp spring weather when walls sweat and clothes will not dry.
A powerful tropical storm with fierce wind and rain, visiting in summer and autumn.
The government office that watches the weather and issues forecasts and warnings.
Winds that change direction with the seasons — dry and cool in winter, warm and damp in summer.
Information telling us the weather to come, helping us plan.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Know Hong Kong's climateHong Kong lies in the subtropics and is shaped by the monsoons, so it has four clear seasons. Climate differs from weather: weather is how the sky and air behave today or in these few hours, while climate is the pattern of weather a place keeps over many years. Hong Kong's yearly average temperature is about 23 degrees, with plenty of rain — a mild, humid climate. Knowing this helps us see why typhoons come in summer and snow never falls, and what clothes visiting relatives should pack.
- Step 2: A damp, changeable springMarch to May is spring: warm and very humid, with fog along the coast where ships sound their horns and slow down. In wui nam tin the walls and floors sweat, so dehumidifiers and open windows help most. Spring weather also changes quickly — bright one moment, drizzling the next, and the temperature can swing several degrees within a day. Check the forecast before school, take a light jacket and an umbrella, and you will neither catch cold nor get soaked. Check the weather before hanging the washing too.
- Step 3: A hot, rainy summerJune to August is summer: the days are long, the sun is fierce, temperatures often pass 31 degrees, and the high humidity makes us sweat. Showers and thunderstorms come in the afternoons, and around July the typhoons wake up. In this season wear airy cotton clothes, drink plenty of water, and wear a hat or use an umbrella under the blazing sun; swimming and watermelon cool us down. During thunderstorms stay away from open ground and trees, and when a typhoon nears, watch the Observatory's warnings closely.
- Step 4: A dry, cool autumnSeptember to November is autumn: the monsoon turns, the sky clears, humidity falls and cool breezes blow morning and evening — the most comfortable time of the year. In the clear, crisp air we love hiking, camping and flying kites, and many families climb hills to pay respects at Chung Yeung. Yet autumn is dry: skin and lips crack easily, so drink more water and use lotion; the countryside is dry too, so never light fires while hiking, to prevent hill fires. Lip balm and moisturiser make the season much more comfortable.
- Step 5: A cool, dry winterDecember to February is winter: the northern monsoon moves south, bringing cool, dry weather. Temperatures usually sit between 15 and 20 degrees, and cold surges can push them below 12 degrees or even lower. We add layers to keep warm, and the elderly and young children must especially avoid catching cold. Hong Kong has no snow and the streets stay green, quite unlike the frozen north. Winter is also the season for hot pots and planning hot-spring trips. When the Cold Weather Warning is issued, remind the elders at home.
- Step 6: Live along with the seasonsThe turning seasons touch what we wear, eat and do: umbrella and heat care in summer, sweaters and warmth in winter; sports days are held in the cooler months and hike days in autumn. Farmers plant and harvest by season, and fishermen put out to sea by the weather. The Hong Kong Observatory issues forecasts, Very Hot and Cold Weather warnings every day so everyone can prepare early. Where to go and what to wear at the weekend can follow the seasons too. Planning activities by season keeps life safe and comfortable.
5Worked example Example
Example: The Observatory forecasts — Monday to Wednesday, cloudy with rain, 24 to 27 degrees, humidity 95%; from Thursday, sunny and hot up to 31 degrees with strong sunshine. Sze-mei's family plans to hike on Saturday. What clothing and activity advice would you give?
- Early in the week it is damp and rainy: carry an umbrella, wear light quick-dry clothes, and use a dehumidifier at home.
- From Thursday it turns sunny and hot; on Saturday's hike expect high temperatures — wear light, pale clothing and a hat.
- For hiking in the heat, take enough water, use sunscreen, choose shaded trails and rest often on the way.
- If it is truly too hot, start the hike in the morning or choose a well-shaded country park, and avoid the midday sun.
- Answer: Early in the week, take an umbrella and use a dehumidifier. For Saturday's hot hike, wear pale thin clothes and a hat, carry plenty of water and sunscreen, choose shaded trails, and set off in the morning to avoid the midday sun.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What climate does Hong Kong have?
Q2What happens in the humid spell?
Q3Which season brings typhoons?
Q4Which season suits hiking best in Hong Kong?
Q5Which office issues weather forecasts and warnings?
8Recap Recap
- Hong Kong has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons.
- Spring is damp, summer hot with typhoons, autumn dry, winter cool.
- Seasons change what we wear and do, and how farmers and fishermen work.
- Check the Observatory's forecast before going out and be prepared.
- Plan life by the season for health and safety.