The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) said in a statement yesterday that it expects the temperature to significantly drop this weekend, to 12°C or even 10°C.
According to the observatory, driven by the warming effects of the El Niño* phenomenon, the average Earth surface temperature from January to September this year was about 1.54°C (±0.13°C) higher than pre-industrial averages. As a result, 2024 is poised to become one of the hottest years on record, following 2023.
As December ushers in winter, this weekend is forecast to bring the first significant chill of the season, adding that last Sunday Macau recorded its lowest temperature since the onset of winter at 13.6 degrees, which, while chilly, did not reach levels deemed cold, the weather station said.
The bureau forecast indicates that a northeast monsoon will strengthen later this week, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures across southern China, including Macau.
The mercury is predicted to rise slightly today, with sunny weather making it feel warmer during the daytime. However, starting tomorrow, the northeast monsoon will intensify again, causing temperatures in Macau to decline once more, with cold and dry conditions forecast for the beginning of next week.
Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and alerts from the government and to prepare for potential temperature fluctuations, the bureau said, adding that special attention should be paid to the health of the elderly, children, and those with underlying health conditions during this cold spell.
*According to the UK Met Office website, the name ‘El Niño’ is widely used to describe the warming of sea surface temperature that occurs every few years, typically concentrated in the central-east equatorial Pacific.
El Niño is declared by meteorologists when sea temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5 °C above the long-term average. El Niño is felt strongly in the tropical eastern Pacific with warmer than average weather.
The effects of El Niño often peak during December; its name “the boy” is thought to have originated as “El Niño de Navidad” centuries ago when Peruvian fishermen named the weather phenomenon after the newborn Christ.
This graphic released by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) yesterday forecasts cold weather in the next few days.
