Hong Kong experienced its coldest morning so far this winter on Monday as temperatures in the city dropped to around 10 degrees Celsius and lower in the New Territories, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.  

The HKO said the mercury dipped to as low as 10.6°C at its office in Tsim Sha Tsui as an intense winter monsoon brought cold and very dry weather to the region.

“Locally, the minimum temperature recorded at the Observatory this morning was 10.6 degrees, the lowest so far this winter,” the observatory said.

“The weather will be cold and very dry over the region. It will be very cold in the morning over inland areas.”

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Temperatures in the city were expected to range from 10°C to 16°C on Monday and from 12°C to 18°C on Tuesday. 

Due to the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department opened 18 temporary cold shelters in various districts on Sunday. These shelters will remain open while the Cold Weather Warning is in force.

The department said free clean mattresses and blankets, hot meals and hot water will be provided to those who will take refuge at the shelters. 

The Center for Health Protection urged members of the public to take precautions as the cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illnesses or other chronic illnesses.

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The Labour Department urge employers to remind their workers, particularly those who have to work outdoors or in remote areas, to wear appropriately warm clothing, and make arrangements for employees to rotate from outdoor to indoor or sheltered work sites.