The Weather of February 2003

    February 2003 was warmer and drier than usual.  The mean minimum temperature of 16.9 degrees was 3.0 degrees above normal and ranked the second highest on record.  Only 15.1 millimetres of rainfall were recorded during the month, amounting to less than one-third of the normal figure of 48.0 millimetres.  The accumulated rainfall in the first two months of the year amounted to 36.8 millimetres, only about half of the normal figure of 71.4 millimetres for the same period.

    The month started off with fine weather in the morning, but turned cloudy with light rain patches as a cold front crossed the south China coast in the evening.  It remained cloudy and cool in the next 2 days.  Drier air behind the front cleared the cloud bands on 4 February and it remained fine for another 2 days.

    Under the influence of an easterly airstream, cloud and rain returned on 7 February.  Rain became heavier on the next day.  It was also humid with mist, and visibilities fell below 2 000 metres at some places.  The weather turned fine on 9 February but there was mist in the morning for 3 days.

    Another cold front reached Hong Kong in the small hours on 12 February, bringing overcast weather and some light rain to Hong Kong.  The temperature fell gradually during the day.  It remained cool and overcast in the next 2 days.

    A spell of humid weather began on 15 February.  Morning mist and drizzle occurred incessantly for the ensuing 10 days.  A weak cold front reached Hong Kong on 17 February, causing a small drop in temperature and the occurrence of dense fog in the territory.  The visibility at Chek Lap Kok International Airport at one time dropped to 200 metres.  Winds strengthened from the east on 20 February.  The easterlies moderated on 22 February and it became fine.

    Cloudy weather returned on 25 February as winds strengthened from the east but the winds moderated quickly on the next day.  There was plenty of sunshine on 27 February and the temperature rose to 25.7 degrees, the highest in the month.  It was cloudy with some light rain on the last day of the month.

    There was no tropical cyclone over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in the month.

    Details of issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarized in Tables 1.1 to 1.2.  Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal for February are tabulated in Table 2.