If you ask a local when to visit, they won't say Chinese New Year. They definitely won't say July. Most people who actually live here will point straight to November.
Honestly, it’s the city’s "sweet spot."
The sweltering, shirt-soaking humidity of the summer has finally packed its bags. The bone-chilling (yes, really) damp winter winds haven't quite arrived from the north yet. What you're left with is Hong Kong weather Nov—a rare window of crisp blue skies and temperatures that don’t make you want to hide in a mall all day.
But there’s a catch. Or a few. November in Hong Kong is shifting.
What the Averages Don't Tell You
On paper, the Hong Kong Observatory says the mean temperature is around 22°C (71.6°F). That sounds like a dream. In reality, the month is a game of two halves. Early November can still feel like a lingering summer, with highs hitting 28°C or 30°C. You'll still see people in shorts and T-shirts, sweating slightly as they hike Dragon's Back.
Then, the "monsoon" hits.
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Not the rainy kind—the Northeast Monsoon. This is basically a massive high-pressure system from mainland China that pushes cool, dry air down the coast. When it arrives, usually mid-month, the humidity drops from a sticky 80% to a comfortable 60%. Sometimes it even plunges to 20%, which is when your skin starts feeling like parchment and every local starts buying bottles of moisturizing cream.
The Typhoon Wildcard
Wait, isn't typhoon season over by then? Usually, yeah. But 2024 proved us all wrong.
In a weird turn of events, Hong Kong saw three tropical cyclones—Yinxing, Toraji, and Man-yi—all in a single November. That was the first time since 1946. It turned a typically dry month into the second wettest November on record, with 194.1mm of rain.
Most years, you’ll barely see a drop. You might get five rainy days total, and even then, it’s usually just a light "misty" drizzle that doesn't require an umbrella. But the 2024 anomaly is a reminder: check the Observatory app (HKO) religiously. If you see a T1 or T3 signal, don't panic, but maybe reschedule that junk boat trip.
Hong Kong Weather Nov: Packing Is Kinda Tricky
Packing for this month is an exercise in frustration if you don't know the "indoor-outdoor" rule.
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Outside, it’s 24°C and perfect. Inside the MTR (the subway) or the malls? It’s basically a meat locker. Hong Kongers love their air conditioning at full blast, regardless of the season.
- The Base Layer: Light cotton or linen. You want stuff that breathes.
- The "Survival" Piece: A denim jacket, a light puffer, or a thick cardigan. You’ll need this for the cinema, the office, or the bus.
- The Evening Shift: Once the sun goes down over Victoria Harbour, the temperature drops fast. If you’re at a rooftop bar like SEVVA or Cardinal Point, that breeze off the water gets bitey.
The Hiking Season Officially Begins
This is why we love November.
October is still a bit too hot for the "hard" hikes. But once the Hong Kong weather Nov settles in, every trail from Lantau to the New Territories fills up. The silvergrass on Sunset Peak turns a stunning golden hue, catching the afternoon light in a way that makes every amateur photographer in the city trek up 800 meters.
If you aren't up for a vertical climb, head to Tai Tong in Yuen Long. Toward the end of the month, the Sweet Gum trees start turning red. It’s Hong Kong’s version of maple leaves, and it draws massive crowds. Go on a Tuesday if you can; weekends are a zoo.
What to Actually Do (Beyond the Tourist Stuff)
Since the skies are at their clearest, this is the time for visibility.
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You can actually see the skyscrapers across the water without that gray "smog-fog" mix that plagues the spring. It's the best time for the Peak Tram, though honestly, walking up Old Peak Road is more rewarding in this weather.
- Wine & Dine Festival: Usually kicks off late Oct or early Nov. Walking around the Central Harbourfront with a glass of Bordeaux is way better when you aren't melting.
- Clockenflap: If the dates line up, this is the city's premier music festival. Standing in a field for 10 hours is only possible because the November air is so forgiving.
- Al Fresco Dining: Places like Soho or the Stanley promenade finally become usable. In August, eating outside is a punishment. In November, it’s a luxury.
A Quick Reality Check on Costs
Because the weather is so good, everybody knows it.
November is "Peak Season." Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui or Central will be at their highest rates outside of the Sevens or Christmas. Flights from London, New York, or Sydney get booked out months in advance by expats’ families visiting for the "good weather."
If you’re a budget traveler, this is the hardest month to find a deal. You’ve been warned.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Download the HKO App: It's the only weather app that actually matters here. The "Real-time Photos" feature lets you see if The Peak is covered in clouds before you pay for the tram.
- Moisturize: The dry North wind is brutal on your skin. Buy some "Snake Oil" (it’s a brand, don't worry) or heavy lotion at a Watsons or Mannings as soon as you land.
- Plan Mid-Week Hikes: If you’re hitting Dragon’s Back or Lamma Island, do it on a Wednesday. The trails are peaceful. On Sundays, they look like the sales at SOGO.
- Layers are King: Don't bring a heavy winter coat unless you're planning to spend the whole time in a refrigerator. A light jacket you can tie around your waist is the pro move.
The bottom line? If you can swing the higher hotel prices, November is the most "livable" Hong Kong gets. You get the energy of the city without the exhaustion of the heat. Just keep one eye on the typhoon tracker—just in case nature decides to be weird again.