The average temperature recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory from July 1 to 16 was 29.9 degrees C. This equals the record set 20 years ago. This year and 1983 recorded the highest temperatures at this time of the year since records began in 1884, according to a press release of the government Thursday.

The fine weather also led to high UV radiation intensity. The UV index on July 12 reached an extremely high value of 14, the highest since the introduction of the index in August 1999.

With a strong ridge of high pressure dominating southern China, fine weather has persisted in Hong Kong and neighboring areas for over two weeks. The Very Hot Weather Warning has been in force for14 days so far this month.

The total rainfall from July 1 to 16 was 23.6mm, the third lowest on record.

The weather will remain hot in the next few days. The maximum temperature in urban areas will be about 32 degrees C., and a couple of degrees higher in the New Territories.

The public should be aware of the risk of heatstroke and intense UV radiation, the press release suggested.

(People's Daily July 18, 2003)