Yesterday’s highest temperature recorded at Macau’s main weather station on Big Taipa Hill reached 35.9 degrees Celsius at 2:00 p.m., making it the highest recorded so far this year, according to the website of the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG).
Among the city’s various weather stations, the station at the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal recorded yesterday’s overall peak temperature at 38.3 degrees Celsius.
According to the bureau, yesterday’s top temperatures recorded at other stations across the city all exceeded 36 degrees, ranging between 36.5 and 37.9 degrees Celsius.
Since the establishment of the bureau in 1952, the highest temperature recorded at the main weather station occurred on August 22, 2017, before Typhoon Hato hit the city, when the mercury hit 38.0 degrees Celsius.
Historical meteorological data available on the SMG website dating back to 1901 shows that Macau officially recorded its all-time high temperature (at its main weather station) on July 2 and July 6, 1930, reaching 38.9 degrees Celsius. At that time, Macau’s weather station was located on Guia Hill.
Macau’s weather observing station was initially established on Penha Hill in 1901 before being relocated to Guia Hill in 1904, where it operated until 1966 when it moved to Mount Fortress (Fortress Hill). Macau’s current main weather station on Big Taipa Hill began operating in 1996.
The bureau issued an Orange hot weather alert on Friday, which remained in effect last night.
A Yellow alert is issued by Macau’s observatory when the weather is forecast to be “very hot”—activated when temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 33 degrees Celsius in certain areas. An Orange alert signifies “extremely hot” weather, typically issued when maximum temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 36 degrees Celsius.
The bureau stated on its website last night that due to the influence of outer subsiding airflow brought by Tropical Cyclone Dolphin, Macau’s weather is expected to remain extremely hot today and tomorrow. Maximum temperatures are forecast to reach 36 degrees Celsius, with urban areas potentially seeing temperatures one to two degrees higher.
Severe Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, yesterday evening, according to the National Meteorological Centre.
The observatory urged the public to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure and take precautions against heatstroke, including staying well-hydrated.
The SMG noted that high temperatures may trigger atmospheric convection*, bringing strong thunderstorms and gusts to Macau during the afternoon and evening over the next two days.
Additionally, the bureau warned that Macau’s air quality is expected to deteriorate today, advising senior citizens, children, pregnant women, and individuals with heart or respiratory illnesses to minimise outdoor activity, particularly in areas with heavy traffic flow.
*In meteorology, atmospheric convection refers to the vertical transport of heat and moisture driven by buoyancy differences, occurring when solar radiation heats Earth’s surface and causes the warm, less dense air directly above it to rise. As this ascending air expands and cools at higher altitudes, its water vapour condenses to form clouds and precipitation, while cooler, denser air sinks to take its place and complete the circulation loop. – Gemini
Visitors buy drinks and desserts from a shop on Rua da Palha in Macau’s city centre, close to its main square, Largo do Senado, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ruins of St Paul’s yesterday. – Photo: Tony Wong
