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Weather of December 1995
With generally persistent winter monsoon, December 1995 was generally fine and dry. The monthly mean pressure of 1,022.1 hectopascals was the sixth highest on record for December. The monthly total rainfall amounted to only 7.9 millimetres, 71 per cent below the normal of 27.3 millimetres. The monthly mean relative humidity was only 63 per cent, five per cent below normal and Fire Danger Warnings were issued for 18 days in the month.
It was generally fine and dry for the first three days in December. Temperatures rose to 22.8 degrees on December 3, the highest for the month. Northerly winds prevailed from December 4 to 8 resulting in rather dry and cool weather conditions. An extensive hill fire broke out on Kowloon Peak around noon on December 7, scorching an area of about 6,600 square metres and requiring Government Flying Service helicopters to help put out the fire. Winds turned more easterly on December 9 and it remained fine until December 12.
Easterly winds increased on December 13 and the weather became cloudier. On December 15, an extensive cloud band developed over the south China coast and brought rain to the territory for the first time in the month. Light rain patches continued for the next three days.
A cold front crossed the south China coast late on December 17 and the winter monsoon brought cool, dry and sunny weather. Another surge of the winter monsoon arrived on December 24 and strong northerly winds brought cold and dry air to the territory. Fine and clear weather prevailed for the rest of the month with the persistent winter monsoon. Temperatures at the Royal Observatory dropped to 11.6 degrees, the lowest for the month, on the morning of December 30. Temperatures at Ta Kwu Ling in the next morning were even lower with a minimum of only 1.3 degrees and frost was reported at the Sha Tin Race Course.
There were two tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the month of December. Details of the issuance/hoisting and cancellation/lowering of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of December are tabulated in Table 1.2.