Typhoon Dolphin triggers extreme heat across China’s Greater Bay Area

Typhoon Dolphin has brought extreme heat across major cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), with the Hong Kong Observatory headquarters recording a mercury of 36.9°C on 9 August – the highest taken at the headquarters reading since records began in 1884. 

The observatory previously logged an all-time high reading of 36.6°C on 22 August 2017, one day before the arrival of Typhoon Hato. 

Temperatures in other parts of Hong Kong reached even higher peaks on 9 August. According to the forecaster, Sheung Shui in the New Territories registered a temperature of 39.8°C – the city’s hottest reading since the observatory began using automatic weather stations in the 1980s. 

Looking ahead, the observatory expects the weather to remain “extremely hot” on 10 and 11 August. Showers are forecast later in the week, resulting in the heat “slightly” dropping. 

Is Macao also facing extreme heat?

The regional heatwave has also impacted neighbouring Macao, where the Taipa Grande measuring station recorded a temperature of 35.9°C on 9 August – its highest reading of 2026 so far. 

Other parts of Macao witnessed even more extreme measurements. The Outer Harbour measuring station had a reading of 38.2°C, while Areia Preta and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park saw the mercury exceeding 37°C. The temperature in other districts averaged more than 36°C. 

[See more: Typhoon Dolphin is set to turn up the heat across the Greater Bay Area]

According to Macao’s Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, the weather is set to remain “fine” and “very hot” today and tomorrow.  

“The maximum temperature will be 36°C, and one or two degrees higher in the urban areas,” the forecaster said. It added that “it is expected that under the influence of a southwesterly airstream from mid-to-late this week, cloudiness and showers will gradually increase.” 

Which other parts of the Greater Bay Area are being impacted by the heatwave? 

Mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area have not been spared from the heat. Guangzhou reported temperatures of 36°C or higher on 9 August, and is expected to see the mercury hovering between 36°C and 37°C in next few days. 

Meanwhile, Shenzhen’s temperature rose to a high of 37°C over the weekend, with the hot weather expected to persist on 10 August. The local forecast predicts the heat to slightly alleviate from 11 August due to the weather becoming noticeably more cloudy, as well as the appearance of occasional thunderstorms. 

Moving forward, most cities in the Pearl River Delta can expect to see temperatures between 35°C and 38°C tomorrow. The following day, Guangdong will face overcast weather, as well as thunderstorms and rainfall in parts of the region. Temperatures in the Pearl River Delta will remain high, hitting 31°C and above. 

How have the authorities responded to the extreme heat and Typhoon Dolphin? 

The Hong Kong Observatory has already issued a “very hot” weather alert and has urged residents to refrain from engaging in outdoor activities for long periods of time, so as to avoid heatstroke. 

Its announcement comes a day after the police reported a 64-year old Filipino man dead after he collapsed while hiking in Tai Po during the hot weather. Police have yet to establish the exact cause of his death. 

In Macao, an orange hot weather alert has been activated, with the authorities advising the public to avoid the sun and stay hydrated. 

Mainland authorities in cities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou have issued similar alerts as well. An orange high temperature warning is currently in force in Shenzhen, while most districts in Guangzhou have put their high temperature health risk warning at high or extremely high between 10 and 12 August. 

[See more: The ultimate Macao typhoon survival guide]

Although Typhoon Dolphin has not directly hit the GBA, it has nonetheless disrupted transport networks in the region, resulting in the suspension of routes over the weekend and today. 

GBA carriers and high-speed train operators have had to cancel services running to and from eastern Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou due to the weather system.