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January 1997 was on the whole warmer and wetter than normal. The monthly mean temperature of 16.7 degrees and total rainfall of 44.6 millimetres were 0.9 degrees and 21.2 millimetres higher than the normal figures of 15.8 degrees and 23.4 millimetres respectively. The month also saw a total sunshine of 173.6 hours which was 21.2 hours higher than normal.
The fine and sunny weather at the end of 1996 continued into 1997. It turned cloudy and rainy on 2 January as winds freshened from the east. Winds changed to northerly gradually the next evening and rain eased off on 4 January. A weak cold front crossed the south China coast on 5 January bringing fresh northerly winds and drier air to clear the clouds.
Winds became easterly on 6 January while the weather remained fine and dry for the next few days. A hill fire broke out in Fei Ngo Shan on 7 January lasting for 15 hours. Trees in an area of 0.36 million square metres were destroyed.
A replenishment of the winter monsoon reached the south China coastal area on 8 January. It remained fine and dry until 12 January when easterly winds returned. Cloudy condition set in and there were light rain patches on 14 January. After the passage of a weak cold front on 15 January, the weather became fine and sunny during the day.
Another weak cold front brought along generally cloudy condition to the territory again on 18 January. It was misty or hazy at times inside the harbour during the next couple of days.
The weather became overcast with rain patches late on 21 January. Meanwhile, an intense cold front formed over China and moved southwards. Winds strengthened from the east early on 22 January. A cargo vessel capsized near the Ninepin Group, fortunately all crewmen were rescued. In addition, a scaffolding collapsed in Lam Tin and a sign board in Jordan was blown down in strong winds injuring one person. The cold front crossed the coast of Guangdong on 23 January with squally showers affecting Hong Kong. Temperatures dropped a few degrees in one hour. A minimum temperature of 10.2 degrees, the lowest in the month, was recorded on both 24 and 25 January.
Drier air from the north cleared the clouds gradually on 26 January. Apart from some cloudy periods on 30 January, fine and dry weather prevailed until the end of the month. Temperatures rose to 23.9 degrees, the highest in the month, on 31 January.
Only one tropical cyclone occurred in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the month.
During the month, a total of six aircraft was diverted due to adverse weather.
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