HONG KONG: Record October heat in Hong Kong was exacerbated by a "very strong" El Nino that could persist into next year, the city's meteorological agency said in a report on Tuesday (Nov 3)).
The Hong Kong Observatory had previously reported a monthly mean temperature of 27.6 deg C -- 1.9 deg C higher than normal and a 0.2 deg C increase from last year's already record-breaking figure for the same month.
"Set against the backdrop of climate warming and a very strong El Nino event that may persist into early next year, October 2026 was unseasonably warm in Hong Kong," the observatory said in statement on Tuesday.
The statement added that the monthly mean maximum and minimum temperatures were the highest ever recorded for October since agency's records began in 1884.
This year's exceptionally strong El Nino has driven up temperatures around the world, with global forecasters warning for months that this would likely become the strongest ever observed.
El Nino is the warming phase of a natural climate cycle, and temporarily raises sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific, triggering changes in weather that can increase the risk of drought and flooding, and exacerbate man-made global warming.
It typically takes place every two to seven years and lasts around nine to 12 months.
Hong Kong observed its highest temperature ever of 36.9C in August as Typhoon Dolphin swept warm air over the city. - AFP
