A February with close to normal temperature
The monthly mean temperature for February 2025 was 17.3 degrees, close to the normal of 17.1 degrees. The total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters in the month was 26.1 millimetres, about 33 per cent below the normal of 38.9 millimetres. The accumulated rainfall in the first two months of the year was 30.3 millimetres, about 42 per cent of the normal of 72.1 millimetres for the same period.
Under the influence of a relatively humid easterly airstream and with a band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong, the weather of Hong Kong was mainly cloudy on the first two days of the month, with a few rain patches on the morning of February 1 and coastal mist the next morning. A cold front moved across the coastal areas and brought one or two rain patches on the morning of February 3. Under the influence of the associated northeast monsoon, it was generally fine in the following two days, with a cold morning on February 4. As a band of clouds gradually covered southern China, it became cloudier on the afternoon of February 5 and the next day.
An intense winter monsoon gradually affected the coast of Guangdong on February 7, and brought cold and dry weather to Hong Kong in the following three days. The temperatures at the Observatory dropped to a minimum of 11.5 degrees on the morning of February 8, the lowest of the month, and relative humidity in most parts of the territory fell below 40 per cent on February 8 and 9. With the band of clouds associated with the broad area of low pressure over the southern part of the South China Sea edging closer to the coastal areas on the afternoon of February 11, it was mainly cloudy with some rain patches in the following four days. More than 10 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of the territory on February 12. There were also fog patches on that day, and the visibility at Waglan Island once fell to around 200 metres.
While it was mainly cloudy with one or two light rain patches on the morning of February 16, it became fine and warm during the day as the band of clouds covering the coast of Guangdong thinned out gradually. Under the influence of the northeast monsoon, the weather remained generally fine on February 17 and 18. Affected by a band of clouds covering the coast of southern China, the weather turned cloudier in the following five days with one or two rain patches on February 22 and 23.
With a replenishment of the monsoon reaching the coast of southern China on February 23, the next morning was rather cool, and the weather turned fine and dry in the afternoon. Affected by a rain band and clouds associated with upper-air disturbances, the weather became mainly cloudy with one or two rain patches on February 25 and 26. With the departure of the upper-air disturbances and the setting in of a maritime airstream, it was mainly fine during the day on February 27 and 28. The weather was warm during the day on February 28 with the temperatures at the Observatory rising to a maximum of 25.4 degrees in the afternoon, the highest of the month.
There was no tropical cyclone over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in February 2025.
Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for February are tabulated in Table 2.
CHP reminds public to take precautions against cold weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 3) reminded the public, particularly the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants and children, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.
Elderly and people with chronic illnesses
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A spokesman for the CHP said that in general, elderly people have less insulating fat, and their body temperature control mechanisms would be weaker. Their body may not respond appropriately to the cold weather. In addition, some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat.
Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes or hypothyroidism, would lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Besides, persons with chronic illnesses, such as chronic respiratory illnesses or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.
The spokesman reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks, accordingly;
Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
Stay in a warm environment. Avoid going out in the morning and at night when the temperature is lower, and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
Use heaters with care and maintain adequate indoor ventilation;
Avoid alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead; and
Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.
Infants, children and pregnant women
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Infants and young children are more susceptible to heat loss during the cold weather. The spokesman reminded parents that they should ensure babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them. When children engage in outdoor activities, their clothing should be adjusted accordingly, and changed quickly if soaked. Infants, young children and pregnant women should also try to avoid going out in the morning and at night when the temperature is lower.
Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:
Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
Always place babies on their backs to sleep. Leave their heads, faces and arms uncovered during sleep;
Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
Let babies sleep in a cot placed near their parents' bed; and
Maintain a smoke-free environment.
Outdoor workers
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Outdoor workers should take heed of the weather report and wear appropriate warm clothing for work. Clothing should be changed as soon as possible if soaked. When the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions. They should take a break immediately and seek help and medical attention if feeling unwell.
General public
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In addition, many respiratory pathogens, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, may have increasing activity and community transmission during winter. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccinations early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on theCHP'swebsite.
A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may become more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
Maintain good indoor ventilation;
When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hotpot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from surfaces and crevices;
Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
Do not eat any undercooked freshwater aquatic products. To ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked, the centre of the food should reach a temperature of at least 75 degrees Celsius so as to destroy pathogens;
Most hotpot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hotpot; and
Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.
In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.
Fo more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit theCHP's websiteandFacebook Fanpageas well as press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against cold weather for outdoor workers and their employers when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.
The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit thewebsite of the Hong Kong Observatoryfor the latest weather information and forecasts, or itspage on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.
Source: AI-found images
