If you’re sitting at home trying to figure out what is the weather of hong kong before booking a flight, let me give you the honest truth. It’s not just "hot" or "rainy." It’s a temperamental beast. People think they’re coming to a tropical paradise, but then they end up shivering in a 13°C (55°F) drizzle in February or sweating through three shirts a day in July.
Hong Kong is basically a subtropical rollercoaster.
One minute you’re looking at a crystal-clear skyline from Victoria Peak, and the next, a fog bank rolls in so thick you can’t see your own hand. I've lived through seasons here where the humidity stays at 95% for weeks. Your shoes grow mold. Your towels never dry. But then, October hits, and suddenly it’s the most beautiful place on Earth.
The Reality of Hong Kong’s Four Seasons
Forget the calendar dates you’re used to. Hong Kong doesn't follow the "standard" schedule.
Spring (March to May): The Great Damp
This is the season of "the mist." You’ll see the tops of skyscrapers disappear into the clouds. It’s not freezing, usually around 18°C to 25°C, but the humidity is a killer. This is when the city feels like a giant steam room. If you’re visiting now, bring a light jacket—not for the cold, but because the air conditioning in the MTR (the subway) is set to "Arctic Tundra" levels. It’s a weird contrast.
💡 You might also like: Why Molly Butler Lodge & Restaurant is Still the Heart of Greer After a Century
Summer (June to August): The Pressure Cooker
Hot. Just, really hot. We’re talking 30°C to 33°C (high 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit), but with the humidity, the "feels like" temperature is often north of 40°C. This is also when the big storms show up. You haven't experienced rain until you've seen a Hong Kong summer downpour. It’s like someone turned over a swimming pool in the sky.
Autumn (September to November): The Sweet Spot
Honestly? If you can choose, come in October or November. The typhoon risk drops, the humidity vanishes, and the skies turn a deep, sharp blue. It’s finally "hiking weather." Temperatures hover around a perfect 23°C. You can actually walk from Central to Causeway Bay without needing a shower immediately afterward.
Winter (December to February): The Sneaky Cold
People laugh when I say it’s cold here, but 12°C in Hong Kong feels way worse than 5°C in London. It’s a damp, biting cold that gets into your bones. Most apartments don't have built-in heating, so you’ll see locals wearing heavy puffer jackets even when it’s technically "mild."
Typhoons: More Than Just a Little Rain
When people ask what is the weather of hong kong like, they usually forget to ask about the T-signals. The Hong Kong Observatory doesn’t play around. They have a ranking system: T1, T3, T8, T9, and the dreaded T10.
📖 Related: 3000 Yen to USD: What Your Money Actually Buys in Japan Today
A T1 is just a "heads up." A T3 means the wind is picking up and you should probably put your balcony furniture inside. But when a T8 hits? The city shuts down. Schools close. Offices empty out. Even the buses and ferries stop running. It’s a strange phenomenon—a city of 7 million people suddenly goes silent.
Pro Tip: If you see a T8 warning on the news, get to your hotel or home immediately. The supermarkets will have lines out the door as people panic-buy instant noodles and Spam.
Humidity: The Invisible Factor
You can't talk about Hong Kong weather without talking about the "sweat factor." In the peak of summer, the humidity is so high that your sweat doesn't evaporate. It just sits there.
You’ll notice that everyone in the city has a specific "indoor-outdoor" strategy. You dash from one air-conditioned mall to another, using the elevated walkways to avoid the stagnant air on the street level. In 2026, climate patterns have made these humidity spikes even more unpredictable, so having a "dry-wicking" wardrobe isn't just a suggestion—it’s a survival tactic.
👉 See also: The Eloise Room at The Plaza: What Most People Get Wrong
What to Pack (Actually)
Don't trust the average temperature charts. Here is what you actually need:
- An Umbrella: Not a cheap one. A sturdy one that can survive a gust of wind.
- Layers: Even in the middle of a 34°C heatwave, the movie theaters and malls are kept at roughly the temperature of a meat locker.
- The Right Shoes: If it’s summer, wear shoes that can get wet. Leather loafers are a mistake when a flash flood hits Nathan Road.
- Dehumidifier bags: If you're staying in an Airbnb for a while, buy those little charcoal bags for your suitcase. Trust me.
Actionable Advice for Your Trip
Check the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) app every single morning. It is surprisingly accurate and much better than the generic weather app on your phone. If it says "Amber Rainstorm," cancel your hiking plans. If it’s a "Very Hot Weather" warning, stay near a mall.
The weather of Hong Kong is a huge part of the city’s identity. It dictates what people eat (hot pot in winter, iced lemon tea in summer) and even how they move through the streets. Respect the heat, watch out for the typhoons, and aim for those glorious November afternoons.
Ready to plan your route? Start by looking at the outlying islands like Lamma or Lantau for those clear autumn days, but keep a backup plan for the rainy ones—the museums in Tsim Sha Tsui are a lifesaver when the clouds break.