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Wednesday, March 21, 1973
MILDEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD
Onset of Spring Marked By Widespread Fog
Last month was the mildest February on record.
A Royal Observatory spokesman said today that the mean temperature
for the month was 19.2°C against a normal of 15.2°c.
"The absolute maximum temperature of 27.8°C recorded on February 27
has only been equalled once, in February 1953," he said.
"In addition, both the mean dew point and the mean minimum temperature
for the month were the highest on record for February," he added.
Only relatively weak surges of the winter monsoon affected Hong Kong
during the month.
They occurred on February 6, 14, 19, and 24, and the lowest temperature
recorded was 14.3°C early on February 20.
Widespread coastal fog and low visibility occurred towards the end
of the month and marked the onset of Spring.
the Ox.
The month began with a fine spell of seven days heralding the year of
A surge of cool northeasterly winds came through the Taiwan Strait on
February 5 and reached Hong Kong the next day.
As the winds gradually freshened from the east, weather became cloudy
late on February 7 and three dull days followed with periods of light rain.
Thereafter, until February 18, conditions were very changeable with a
sequence of alternating bright and cloudy days.
/On February 19,