Hong Kong weather by month

When to go to Hong Kong

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: April, May, June, July, August, September, October. June is the wettest month (331 mm, about 24 rainy days) and January the driest (24 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 28.5°C and coolest in January at 18.9°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG, 27 km from Hong Kong) takes roughly 12 h 48 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Hong Kong.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Hong Kong between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.7°C on 29 June 2004; the coldest fell to 3.1°C on 25 January 2016. In July one day in ten tops 31.5°C and about 50% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 9.2°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was June 2008 with 703 mm, against a June average of 331 mm.

Winter and spring: light layers, then increasing rain

December, January and February suit travellers who prefer cooler days and relatively little rain. Daytime averages sit around 19°C to 20°C, while nights call for a jumper or light jacket rather than summer clothing. January and December each average 4 rain days, making them practical choices for spending time outdoors, though the sea feels cool. March brings warmer evenings but also more frequent rain and just 3 hours of sunshine a day. April reaches 25°C, so lighter daytime clothing becomes useful, with a waterproof still worth packing. By May, days average 28°C and rain occurs on 20 days: choose it for warmth rather than reliably dry weather.

Summer: warm seas, frequent rain and little evening relief

June, July and August suit travellers who prioritise heat and warm water over dry outdoor plans. July and August average 30°C by day, and nights remain around 26°C throughout summer, so evenings offer limited relief. Loose, light clothing and a waterproof are useful, and it makes sense to leave room for indoor breaks during the hottest part of the day. The sea averages 28°C, appealing if cool water usually puts you off swimming. The catch is frequent rain: June and August each average 24 rain days, with July only slightly less wet. June also has just 2 hours of daily sunshine, so summer heat does not mean consistently sunny skies.

Autumn: the strongest balance of warmth and drier days

September stays hot, averaging 29°C by day, with warm nights and sea water still at 28°C. It is a good fit if you want summer warmth, but 17 rain days make it less dependable for outdoor plans than later autumn. October brings the clearer improvement: days average 27°C, rain drops to 7 days and sunshine rises to 6 hours daily. November is the better choice if you find heat tiring, with 24°C days and 19°C nights. Pack a light layer for evenings rather than assuming it will stay warm after dark. Both months offer a more comfortable balance for being outside, while the sea remains warmer than in winter.