Hong Kong weather observatory posts record high temperature

On Sunday, Hong Kong's weather observatory recorded a record high temperature of 36.9°C as Typhoon Dolphin swept warm air over the city, according to the meteorological service. This marks the highest temperature ever observed since records began in 1884, surpassing the previous record of 36.6°C set on August 22, 2017. The observatory's figures serve as a key reference for the densely built city, although temperature variations exist.

Elsewhere in the city, temperatures surpassed 39°C, with Sheung Shui in the north recording a peak of 39.8°C, the highest since automatic weather stations were introduced in the 1980s. The Hong Kong Observatory issued a "Very Hot Weather Warning" on Sunday, urging citizens to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Typhoon Dolphin, currently 1,000km northeast of Hong Kong, has led to over 1,000 flight cancellations and evacuations along China's east coast as it approaches densely populated areas. Authorities have issued a top-level alert, expecting the typhoon to make landfall in Zhejiang or Fujian later this week. Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events to human-driven climate change.