Macao has registered its lowest temperature since the onset of winter this year, with the thermostats at the Taipa Grande Observatory recording a temperature of 5°C at 7:00 am today.
Under the effect of Macao’s winter monsoon, the weather has remained cloudy with small patches of rain. Temperatures today won’t rise above 9°C, according to the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (commonly referred to by its Portuguese initials SMG).
In response to the sudden drop in temperature, SMG upgraded its cold weather alert from yellow to orange this morning. It also issued a strong monsoon (or “black ball”) weather warning, advising motorists to be wary of strong winds as they travel between the Peninsula and Taipa on the bridges.
[See more: The government’s Ilha Verde shelter has opened in advance of the cold weather]
The Education Bureau (DSEDJ) meanwhile issued a notice to parents, reminding them to make sure schoolchildren are wearing sufficient clothing in the coming days. The Social Welfare Bureau also opened its Ilha Verde shelter for residents seeking respite from the chilly weather. The shelter provides blankets, hot drinks and warm food to those in need.
In recent days, various parts of Southern China have been hit with a cold wave. This morning, Macao’s neighbouring SAR, Hong Kong, recorded a temperature of -2.4°C on top of its highest peak, Tai Mo Shan, where frost was seen.
During a press conference earlier this month, experts from China’s National Climate Centre suggested that climate change is contributing to a greater number of extreme weather events such as cold snaps and snowstorms.
