The weather in Hong Kong varies substantially. Basically though it depends where you are arriving from as to how you view the weather.

Hong Kong weather is considered sub-tropical and the temperature is usually stated in degrees Celsius.

The average temperature (in Celsius) is as follows:

Month - High/Low
January - 18/13 (The winters generally tend to be cool)
February - 17/13
March - 20/16 (Springs can be quite mild and either rainy of pleasant)
April - 24/20
May - 28/24
June - 30/26 (Summers are very hot and humid)
July - 31/27
August - 31/27
September - 30/26 (Autumn is lovely with crisp days - a good time to visit)
October - 28/24
November - 24/20
December - 19/15

Rain Warnings

Hong Kong has a series of rain warnings that are announced on the news. Depending on the age of your children, you will need to pay particular attention to these warnings.

An AMBER rainstorm advises that potential heavy rain may develop into a RED or BLACK signal situations. There may be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. Young children may not be required to attend school. Check with the Department of Education as to your school's particular policy. Key Government departments and major transport and utility operators will also be put on alert.

The RED signals warn the public of heavy rain, which could bring serious road flooding and traffic congestion. If a RED signal is issued before working hours, employees should go to work as usual although school children will normally stay home or, if already at school, should remain there until the end of school hours and conditions are safe for them to return home. Many schools have phone systems which advise you of their policies and in the event of a storm arising quickly, you may be contacted by the school and advised to pick up your children as soon as possible.

A black storm warning means that people should stay at home until further notice. Precautions should also be taken during these storms such as securing windows, bringing pot plants in, removing items from verandas and balconies and so on.

These signals are broadcast over radio and television and also tend to be displayed at the entrances to shopping centres, clubs, cinemas and so on.

Typhoon Season

When talking about the weather in Hong Kong one other thing needs to be mentioned - typhoons. The typhoon season normally begins in June and ends in September. There are at least two or three typhoons that hit Hong Kong each season. The Hong Kong Observatory advises the media when a typhoon alert is hoisted.

A number 1 signal means there is a typhoon which may head towards Hong Kong. A number 3 signal means that a typhoon is less than 1000 kilometres away and heading towards the general direction of Hong Kong. Some ferry services may be suspended. A number 8 signal means that the typhoon is hitting Hong Kong. At this point, all businesses close and many public transit services are suspended, including all ferry services, many bus and tram routes, and the overhead sections of the MTR.

Precautions should be taken and people are generally advised to secure any loose items - bring in things from balconies and outside areas, secure windows and tape them in the case of them breaking, draw curtains or blinds and listen to the radio or television for additional information and advice. We used to keep very thick masking tape and tape our windows in a criss-cross design during bad storms. I also kept children away from the windows. Do what you feel is necessary.

Typhoon alert and schools

Hoisting of No 1 Signal - Schools operate as normal.
Hoisting of No 3 Signal - All primary and secondary schools will generally operate as normal, unless advised otherwise.
Hoisting of No 8 Signal or above - All schools will close.
Lowering to No 3 Signal - All primary and secondary schools to resume with the following session, unless road or other conditions remain adverse.
Lowering to No 1 Signal - All schools will resume with the following session.