The mercury in Macao is expected to plummet early next week and could dip to a “severely cold level” of 7°C or less, according to a statement issued yesterday by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (known by its Portuguese initials SMG).
The weather forecaster said that a strong winter monsoon is expected to hit southern China early next week. Although its timing, range and intensity remain uncertain, the monsoon will result in a “noticeable” drop in temperatures along the coast of Guangdong province.
According to the SMG’s current forecast, temperatures will hit a low of 11°C on Monday.
[See more: Health officials urge vaccinations as flu season reaches it peak]
The colder temperatures come as Macao grapples with peak flu season. Hundreds of people have crowded into hospital emergency rooms daily, seeking sick notes that, by a quirk of Macao law, can only be issued by a government doctor.
Elsewhere in China, the temperature is also forecast to drop significantly from the end of this week.
According to a China News report, which cited the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), a cold front will initially hit Xinjiang province, before spreading to most areas in China’s central-eastern region from 24 to 27 January, when temperatures are expected to fall between 8°C and 12°C.
