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February 2009 was the warmest February since records began in 1884. The monthly mean temperature of 20.5 degrees was 4.2 degrees higher than normal. The temperature of 28.3 degrees recorded on February 25 was the highest daily maximum temperature for February. The month was also sunnier than normal. The total bright sunshine duration for the month was 140.7 hours, about 50% above normal. Only 1.1 millimetres of rainfall were recorded in February 2009, much below the normal figure of 52.3 millimetres.
The weather in Hong Kong was generally cloudy on the first day of the month. Under the influence of a ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, the local weather became fine on February 2. It remained generally fine for the ensuing nine days.
A humid maritime airstream dominated the south China coastal areas and brought cloudy and humid weather to the territory from February 12 to 15. It was also foggy on February 15. The visibility dropped below 400 metres in the harbour on that day.
Under the influence of an easterly airstream, the weather in Hong Kong was windy, rainy and slightly cooler from February 16 to 18. It remained cloudy with light rain patches on February 19.
A dry northerly airstream reached the south China coastal areas on the morning of February 20. Locally, weather became fine later that day. With the winds turning to easterly, it was windy and cloudy on February 21. Local winds subsided gradually the next day.
It was humid with fog from February 23 to 25 when Hong Kong was affected by a warm and humid maritime airstream. The temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory rose to a maximum of 28.3 degrees on February 25, the highest of the month. A weak replenishment of the northeast monsoon reached the coastal areas of Guangdong on the morning of February 26 and brought cloudy and cooler weather to Hong Kong for the last three days of the month.
There was no tropical cyclone over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in the month.
Details of the issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from the norm in February are tabulated in Table 1.2.
Ends/Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:21
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