Hong Kong's Changing Climate Overview

Urban areas are warmer than surrounding rural areas due to factors like heat-absorbing surfaces and reduced tree cover.

Decreased ability to see distant objects due to factors like rain, fog, or air pollution.

More frequent and intense rain events, potentially linked to urban heat.

Hong Kong has experienced an increase in visibility in recent decades.

Hong Kong's climate is experiencing changes in temperature, rainfall intensity, and air quality as a result of urbanization.

Increased temperature in urban areas compared to surrounding rural areas.

Building of settlements and infrastructure to create a city.

Changes in Earth's climate caused by increasing greenhouse gases.

Higher average temperatures in urban environments due to urban development and the heat island effect.

Removal of trees for urban development.

Structures that absorb and retain heat.

Release of water by plants into the atmosphere.

Movement of air.

Hong Kong's average temperature is projected to increase by 3-6°C by 2100.

The number of nights with a minimum temperature of 28°C or above in Hong Kong has significantly increased compared to the past.

The number of days with a maximum temperature of 33°C or above in Hong Kong has significantly risen compared to past figures.

The number of days with a minimum temperature of 12°C or below in Hong Kong has drastically decreased compared to historical data.

Hong Kong's rainfall has increased in intensity, but the total number of rainy days has decreased, leading to heavier rainfall events.

Hong Kong experiences more frequent and severe rainfall events, exceeding 100 mm per hour.

By 2100, Hong Kong might experience only three cold days annually, possibly losing winter weather altogether.

Although the number of days with rainfall has decreased, the total annual rainfall in Hong Kong has slightly increased.

The average temperature over a year in a specific location.

Higher temperatures in urban areas compared to surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

Hong Kong's average temperature has risen by 1.7°C since 1885, higher than the global average.

23.7°C, a location in Hong Kong

24.4°C, a location in Hong Kong

Urban areas tend to have higher temperatures than rural areas due to factors like building density and limited vegetation.

Rural areas generally have lower temperatures compared to urban areas, due to more green spaces and less human-made heat absorption.

Hong Kong has experienced an amplified temperature increase as more of its rural areas develop into urban areas, leading to the heat island effect.

Hong Kong has strict rules to limit pollution, leading to factories moving or closing.

A region in China with factories that polluted the area.

Hours of poor visibility (fog, mist) increased in Hong Kong.

The total number of hours with poor visibility in Hong Kong annually.

Pollutants from factories in the ZDR affect Hong Kong's air quality.

Winter winds in Hong Kong carry pollution from the ZDR.

Number of hours with poor visibility has risen over time in Hong Kong

Factories and pollution are primarily concentrated from Zhujiang Delta on into Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's sea level is predicted to increase by about 1 meter by 2100.

Global climate change will negatively affect Hong Kong, including higher temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events.

More intense and frequent storms, typhoons, and heavy rainfall.

Higher sea levels and stronger storms lead to increasing flood risk in coastal areas.

Reduced food production elsewhere may result in higher imported food prices in Hong Kong.

Warmer seawater may cause coral bleaching in Hong Kong, affecting marine life.

Increased rainfall increases risk of landslides, which damages buildings.

Extreme weather can disrupt daily life and infrastructure, such as traffic and telecommunications.