Guide to Hong Kong weather

The city’s coldest month. January is (relatively) chilly with the average temperature dropping to about 15 degrees. Still not truly cold, this is a great month to be out and about, what with an average rainfall of just 33mm – the lowest of the entire year.

So, a great time to be active outdoors – especially if you over-indulged on the turkey during Christmas. Check out the best Hong Kong hikes, hiking trails for families in Hong Kong and the city’s top 10 cycling routes for starters. Alternatively, if you feel it’s a bit too nippy for you to go outside but you still want to get in shape, see our ultimate Hong Kong gym guide.

Much like January, Hong Kong stays fairly dry and cool in February with the average temperature coming in at 15 degrees and rainfall climbing slightly to 46mm. This being the month of love, have a look at our guide to 10 typical Tinder dates. Also, the nights are long during February, so take a look at our feature on Hong Kong after dark. Still waddling around after the Xmas holidays? Here are the weirdest workouts to try in Hong Kong.

With spring looming, Hong Kong’s March weather is decidedly milder with temperatures averaging 18 degrees. This is when Hong Kong’s famed precipitation shows up to the party with average rainfall jumping to 74mm.

Make the most of HK's great outdoors before it gets any wetter and check out the best camping sites in Hong Kong or the best outdoor water sports in Hong Kong. Alternatively, hide away and try to make a dent in our list of the 100 best Hong Kong movies.

One of the best months of the year weather-wise. April is mainly sunny with low humidity, making it one of the best times to visit. Things continue to get wetter, with the average rainfall hitting 137mm, but April in Hong Kong is rugby sevens month, so that’s ideal.

The world-famous celebration of hedonism, and a little bit of rugby, involves heady bouts of drinking and dancing. Get yourself ready for sevens season with our guide to the best costume shops in Hong Kong, 10 typical Hong Kong Rugby Sevens fans and the best Hong Kong Rugby Sevens outfits.

May’s weather defo isn’t the best – the humidity cranks up, temperatures average 25 degrees and it’s very wet with rainfall more than doubling to 292mm. 

That doesn’t mean the city’s a washout, though, see our guide to the best things to do in Hong Kong on a rainy day for evidence. Alternatively, you could just stay in your flat, listen to our comforting rainy day playlist and play some of the best video games set in Hong Kong.

It’s often logical to assume that summer is the best time to visit a city. Not so in Hong Kong. June is arguably the worst month for weather with humidity reaching oppresive levels (temperatures average a balmy 28 degrees) and rainfall a non-stop nuisance as an average of 394mm descends on our SAR. Have a word with yourself, rain. 

Indoor activities it is then. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. See our best indoor sports activities guide or hole up in a bar from our pick of Hong Kong’s 50 best bars. If the skies are clear, try to beat the heat by heading to one of Hong Kong’s best beaches.

Expect to sweat. With temperatures averaging at 29 degrees, 90 to 100 percent humidity, the simple act of walking around outside is nothing short of a little slice of hell. Thankfully, there’s still plenty of rain, usually about 381mm, so even if you’re sweating like a pig, no one is likely to notice. 

With such oppressive weather, we suggest keeping physical exertion to a minimum. Either take it easy in one of Central’s best bars, do maximum eating, minimum moving at one of Hong Kong’s best brunches or simply take a staycation at a great local hotel listed in our best Hong Kong hotels guide.

With temperatures averaging 29 degrees and rainfall coming in at 367mm, you’d be wrong if you thought August would be an improvement when it comes to weather. Indeed, this is peak typhoon season. Thankfully, we’re well prepared in Hong Kong. Start by being thankful that it’s (probably) not worse than Hong Kong’s worst typhoons. Get comfy, stick on our (definitive) typhoon playlist, have a read at our list of 10 things to do indoors during a typhoon and then round out your day by reflecting on Hong Kong’s 10 biggest weather extremes. It could always be worse...

Now we're talking. September is one of the best months to visit and a great time to get out and about with temperatures dropping slightly to an average of 27 degrees and rainfall easing off to 257mm.

Send your 27 followers into delirious fits of euphoria with snapshots at the 10 best places to Instagram in Hong Kong or get out and explore Hong Kong’s secret islands. If you wanna keep it chill, check out Hong Kong’s best walks that you can complete in under three hours.

Things get better and better as autumn kicks into full gear with the temperature dropping to a very pleasant 26 degree average and rain easing right off to 101mm.

This is probably the safest (and most comfortable) month of the year to book a junk. Let us help you out with our guide to the best Hong Kong junk boat packages. In case you want to stay on dry land, get to know some of the city’s hidden gems like Hong Kong’s coolest hidden alleyways or abandoned places in Hong Kong.