Hong Kong records hottest day of year so far as temperatures soar past 34 degrees

Hong Kong sweltered through its hottest day of the year so far on Friday as temperatures hit 34.6 degrees Celsius (94.3 Fahrenheit) in the afternoon, with the city’s weather forecaster warning of hail.The Hong Kong Observatory said that this marked the highest temperature recorded on Grain in Ear, the Chinese summer solar term, since records began.By 4.20pm, temperatures had reached 34.4 degrees in Yuen Long Park and 34.1 degrees in Tuen Mun and Wetland Park.The forecaster issued the “very hot weather” warning at 7.45am, followed by a thunderstorm alert at 11.50am.At 5.15pm, the Observatory said hail might also affect the city.Heat-triggered showers and thunderstorms had already developed along the Pearl River Estuary by the afternoon and are expected to be heavier in some areas in the morning and at night, accompanied by light to moderate south to southwesterly winds.