Last year was the fourth warmest globally since instrumental temperature records began in 1861, and Hong Kong's ninth warmest. It was also the 17th driest in Hong Kong since records began in 1884.

The Hong Kong Observatory said the annual mean temperature was 23.4 degrees, 0.4 above normal. In June, the rain-bearing monsoon trough spent less time near the south China coast, resulting in more sunshine and higher temperatures and making it the eighth hottest June on record. The northeast monsoon was also weak during the last two months of the year, causing above-normal temperatures.

Only three tropical cyclones affected Hong Kong, about half the normal figure. Most originated in the western North Pacific moved north or northeast on approaching Luzon and Taiwan, without entering the South China Sea and failed to bring the usual rainfall to Hong Kong.

Dry conditions

The monsoon trough also brought less than normal rainfall to Hong Kong in May and June, making last year the 17th driest. The annual rainfall of 1,738.6mm was 475.7mm or about 21% below normal. Similar dry conditions were also widespread in southern China.

January was cloudier and wetter than usual, with 51mm rainfall which was more than double the normal figure. February was warmer and slightly wetter also.

The deluge from a storm late in the month made March wetter than usual with 104.3mm of rain, about 56% above normal. In contrast to the first three months, April was slightly drier than usual.

Although May was drier than normal, a heavy downpour on May 8 led to the issuance of a Black Rainstorm Warning - the first such warning since September, 2001. There were also reports of a tornado in eastern areas.

June was warmer, sunnier and drier than usual. The mean temperature of 28.6 degrees was 0.8 above normal, the eighth highest for the month. Standby Signal No.1 was issued for Typhoon Conson in the South China Sea.

July was wetter with Tropical Storm Kompasu directly hitting Hong Kong, necessitating the issuance of the No.8 Gale or Storm Warning Signal.

Wetter-than-normal conditions continued in August. The Standby Signal No.1 was issued during the approach of Typhoon Aere.

September rainfall down 44%

As none of the four cyclones originating from the western Pacific came close to Hong Kong during the month, September was drier than usual. With 167.3mm rainfall, it was about 44% below normal.

October was sunnier and much drier, with 2.3mm rainfall, only about 2% of the normal reading.

The last two months were much warmer, except for a cold snap in the last few days of the year. November got 0.4mm of rain, about 1% of normal, and December got just a trace.