‘Intense’ polar vortex could bring ice storm to New Territories: chill running through Hong Kong expected to last a week
History of snow falls and frost in Hong Kong show it’s not impossible it could happen again
A polar vortex is expected to hit the New Territories but could spare urban areas from frost, ice and sleet over the weekend.
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The Hong Kong Observatory predicts chilling conditions over the coming weekend which some internet commentators have said could bring snow.
While snow may seem unlikely, frost and ice is expected, said Christy Leung, HKO Scientific Officer.
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Ms Leung said the coming icy blast was linked to the polar vortex which sends cold Arctic air to Hong Kong.
“It’s not that abnormal for these kind of vortexes to build up, and for cold weather to affect Hong Kong.
“Of course the strength of this cold surge that will build up this weekend will be quite intense,” she said.
The distortion has sent the chilling wind much further south than normal with the aid of the jetstream, which has also modified as the globe warms.
“Currently for our current projection we expect global warming effects, like hot days,” she said. “But for individual events like extreme cold it is difficult to predict.”
But she didn’t rule out snow on the top of tall buildings in central Hong Kong and Kowloon, adding that likelihood drops in urban areas as the temperature is usually a few degrees warmer.