Weather in Hong Kong in August

How August compares

August is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Hong Kong and ranks 43rd of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Hong Kong is 8.5°C warmer by day and 12.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Hong Kong peaks at 29.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 31.7°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 pass 30°C. Nights average 26.2°C; one night in ten drops to 25.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 34.6°C (2017-08-22) and the coldest night 23.8°C (1993-08-24).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 24 days with 1 mm or more, 326 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2018 with 696 mm, the driest 2011 with 92 mm. Humidity averages 87%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 28.5°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.8°C to 29.0°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:01 and sets about 18:55 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 73%.

Is August a good time to visit Hong Kong?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Hong Kong on our scoring are November, October, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Expect humid heat, including after dark

With humidity at 87%, August calls for a slower pace rather than a packed outdoor schedule. Half of days reach 30°C, so treat midday as a time for breaks rather than prolonged exertion. Loose, lightweight clothing and regular access to drinking water should be priorities. Evenings offer little temperature relief: the average night low is 26.2°C, so do not expect the cool finish to the day you might get at home. Pack clothes you can change easily when they feel damp, and consider a light layer for air-conditioned spaces rather than anything intended for cold outdoor weather.

Leave room to rearrange outdoor plans

Rain is the bigger planning catch. With about 24 rainy days, a short visit is not something to organise around an expectation of dry weather. Keep outdoor plans movable and have indoor alternatives ready, especially for anything you would dislike doing in wet clothes. A compact umbrella and lightweight waterproof protection are sensible, though heavy rainwear may feel uncomfortable in the heat. There are about 3.5 hours of sunshine within 12.8 hours of daylight, so long days do not translate into long sunny spells. August works better if you can accept weather interruptions without feeling that the trip has been spoiled.

Warm water is a plus, but later months score better

The sea averages 28.5°C, making water temperature a clear advantage if swimming matters to you. Expect warm water rather than a bracing dip, but keep swimming plans dependent on the weather and local conditions rather than temperature alone. That warmth does not make August a dependable choice for a sunshine-led holiday: rain and limited sunshine remain the trade-off. If your dates are flexible, November, October and September score better overall, with November the strongest choice. Choose August because the timing works and you tolerate humid heat, not because you are counting on consistently sunny days outdoors.