Microclimate
Although Hong Kong is a small place, the variation in geographical location and site environment results in significant differences in temperatures as shown in Fig 3.10a and Fig 3.10b. Even in the same district, the temperature and humidity at different locations can be different. This is referred as microclimate.
Microclimate is a special climatic situation within a small range, mainly affected by factors such as topography, wind direction, building orientation and density.
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Smart weather: Microclimate
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| Fig 3.10a Spatial variation of the average maximum temperature at different stations in summer. Stations on high ground shown in green x (Source: HKO) | Fig 3.10b Spatial variation of the average minimum temperature at different stations in winter. Stations on high ground shown in green (Source: HKO) |
In 2017, the HKO installed more than 30 temperature micro-stations on Kowloon Peninsula to study microclimate in the urban areas. Preliminary findings of the study show that the temperature distribution of Kowloon Peninsula is affected by wind direction. Fig 3.11 shows that in the case of easterly winds, the temperature on the east side of Kowloon Peninsula is relatively lower compared to the urban centre and the west side of the Peninsula and the temperature difference can be up to about 4°C.
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| Fig 3.11 Preliminary results of the microclimate study on Kowloon Peninsula (Source: HKO) |
There are temperature differences between different parts of Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Fig 3.12 shows that the temperature station at the junction of Nathan Road and Haiphong Road generally recorded higher temperatures, followed by the temperature station near Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard. The temperature station near the ChungKing Mansions generally recorded lower temperatures. The higher temperatures at the junction of Nathan Road and Haiphong Road could be due to the heavy traffic on-site while the lower temperatures near ChungKing Mansions could be attributed to the blocking of sunlight by the buildings around.
Urban microclimate studies can provide basic urban climate information to support improvement of town planning.
Fig 3.12 Temperature variation recorded at the temperature stations on Nathan Road (Source: HKO)
Fig 3.13 Urban microclimate stations (Source: HKO)
Source of figures and data in Chapter 7.3
[i] https://www.hko.gov.hk/climate_change/obs_hk_temp_e.htm
[ii] https://www.hko.gov.hk/cis/statistic_e.htm
[iii] https://www.hko.gov.hk/cis/statistic/erank13.htm
[iv] https://www.hko.gov.hk/climate_change/obs_hk_sea_level_e.htm
[v] https://www.hko.gov.hk/climate_change/urbanization_e.htm
[vi] https://www.hko.gov.hk/blog/en/archives/00000209.htm
[vii] https://www.hko.gov.hk/climate_change/obs_hk_wind_e.htm
[viii] https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/climate_change/obs_hk_cloud.htm#