Prolonged hot spell set to break records
A hot spell which has scorched Hong Kong for a week will likely continue into the weekend, potentially breaking the record for the city's longest heatwave since a warning system was introduced. The observatory said on Thursday that under the influence of a subtropical ridge, it will remain very hot on Friday and Saturday, with a high of 35 degrees Celsius or above. That means the Very Hot Weather Warning, which has been in place since last Thursday, could be extended for another two days or longer. The warning is issued when the temperature hits 33 degrees or higher. The current heatwave record was set in 2016, when the warning was in force for nine consecutive days. Acting assistant director at the observatory Cheng Yuen-chung warned the worst could be yet to come, as July is usually the SAR's hottest month of the year. He also said that people should brace for hotter summers than in previous years. "Under the background of global warming, we expect the temperature in the summer to rise compared to the past," he said. "The general public should take extra precautions against heatstroke." The Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, meanwhile, urged elderly people to take hot weather warnings seriously. "[Elderly people] are particularly vulnerable to hot weather. If you have symptoms ... like dizziness, nausea, extreme tiredness or a feeling of dehydration, please rest and seek help immediately," said the association's Chief Executive Officer, Maura Wong. She also encouraged everyone to keep an eye on senior citizens, especially those who live alone.