Whether you’re planning to spend one day in Hong Kong or a week, knowing the best time to visit Hong Kong can spell the difference between roaming the streets blissfully in pursuit of sublime cuisine & incredible views or spending your entire trip soaked in sweat under an umbrella, cursing the day you ever chose to vacation in this infernal sauna-like, typhoon-spinning hell.
No, the weather in Hong Kong doesn’t always cooperate. But that doesn’t mean you should let it wreck or rule your travel plans.
Figure out when to go to HK with this complete weather guide, including the best month to visit Hong Kong, as well as what to expect & what to wear by season and by month!
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out our other weather & when to go guides and our Hong Kong Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
When to go to Hong Kong: A weather overview
For the most part, Hong Kong is a year-round destination. That’s not to say that you’ll necessarily enjoy yourself equally at every moment!
Hong Kong lies in a subtropical location, jutting off of mainland China and southwest of Taiwan. And that’s probably just enough information for you to speculate what’s in store throughout the year.
You’ll find that the weather in Hong Kong sways anywhere between mild winters and insanely hot and sticky summers. Throw in a bunch of rain, especially during the summer months, and you’ll walk away with a (very) general idea of what to expect.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of Hong Kong’s weather by season and by month, there’s one thing you should be aware of when travelling in Hong Kong (and other East Asian countries like Taiwan and Japan): typhoons.
Anytime between May and November, when daytime highs start to inch north, these nasty tropical storms are a possibility. Early September is the most likely month to experience one. (Oddly enough, this foul season is quickly followed by the best time to travel to Hong Kong.)
Approach typhoon season with a healthy dose of caution rather than paranoia. If summer is the only time you can carve out for a visit to Hong Kong, don’t let it scare you off completely. Local meteorologists are adept at tracking brutal storms and send out warnings promptly when the fury draws near.
Rather than facing a dangerous situation, the worst thing that comes is often boredom as the city shutters up to prepare for the unleashing of Mother Nature’s forces.
In whichever month you plan to visit, remember that it’s a popular destination with foreigners and mainland Chinese alike. When choosing among the best hotels in Hong Kong, always book well in advance, particularly during the popular Chinese vacation periods at the beginning of May and October and during Chinese New Year.
Weather By Season
Spring
When is spring in Hong Kong: March until May
What to expect in spring: Coming from North America or Europe, you’ll immediately notice how pleasantly mild Hong Kong becomes in the spring. Daytime average temperatures range between 20ºC (68ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF) throughout the spring, gradually getting warmer as summer approaches.
Even with the cloud cover and ever-looming possibility of rain—not exactly the most easily avoided of weather aberrations—spring is one of the best times of year to visit and dig into all the best things to do in Hong Kong!
What to wear in spring: With the warm temperatures, you’ll be pumped not to have to pack thicker outerwear to deal with the cooler spring temperatures you’ll find elsewhere in the world. Carrying a sturdy travel umbrella and rain jacket is always smart in spring.
Summer
When is summer in Hong Kong: May to mid-September
What to expect in summer: Enjoy steam baths? If not, you should probably think twice about heading to Hong Kong in summer. In the peak of summer, temperatures regularly soar above 30ºC (86ºF) with intense humidity. Stepping into the streets often means a near-instantaneous drenching with sweat.
To relieve the pressure, summer rainstorms are big and frequent. Let’s not forget that summer is the height of typhoon season in Hong Kong. Always stay caught up with local weather forecasts to avoid the brunt of the blow.
What to wear in summer: Well, you certainly won’t need anything warm! As always in Hong Kong, carry around a travel umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket, just in case. Wearing a hat and applying sunblock isn’t a bad idea, either. With the crazy humidity, it’s also a good idea to tag a travel water bottle to your backpack. Gotta stay hydrated in this kind of heat!
Autumn
When is autumn in Hong Kong: From late September to early December.
What to expect in autumn: The fall season stretches a little later into the year than in most parts of the world. With the loco thunderstorms and typhoons in the rearview and pleasant temperatures, autumn is overall the best time to go to Hong Kong.
Besides the warm temperatures, autumn is among the driest seasons. Outdoor activities like hiking in Hong Kong or lazing on the beach are excellent in the fall.
What to wear in autumn: It’s still quite warm, so many of the same outfits that would get you through summer should serve you well in fall. As the end of the season approaches and temperatures begin to dip, you might need some warmer clothing like a light fleece jacket or long-sleeve shirts, especially at night. Since this is prime hiking season in Hong Kong, stow away a nice pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots to tackle the trails like a madman.
Winter
When is winter in Hong Kong: From mid-December until February.
What to expect in winter: Winter is by far the coolest season in Hong Kong, and while it may not have the impact of a German or Canadian winter, it can still get cool, particularly at night. Even so, the average lows in the coldest month (January) at still sit around a relatively mild 13ºC (55ºF).
Keep in mind that Chinese New Year usually falls between mid-January and February. It’s a busy time of year in Hong Kong and a period when advanced hotel reservations are not optional!
What to wear in winter: The cooler temperatures settling upon the shores of Hong Kong mean that you’ll need to pack some warmer clothing to stay comfy. A full-on winter jacket isn’t needed; a warm fleece jacket should do the trick for your outerwear.
Weather By Month
January
Compared to the winter months many North Americans would be used to, January in Hong Kong is a blessing. Although January is the coldest month in Hong Kong, the average temperatures are still pleasantly mild, even if not by other Asian standards.
Along with December, January sees less rainfall than the rest of the year. A good month to hit the hiking trails? Yes, we think so! Don’t forget that the Chinese New Year sometimes falls at the end of January. Plan well ahead if you want to visit at this time.
- Average Temperature: 16ºC / 61ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 13ºC / 55ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 18ºC / 64ºF
February
The weather in Hong Kong is cool in February but hardly cold. With mild average temperatures in the mid-teens, February is still a great time to be outside in Hong Kong.
February is also one of the driest months, a fact you’ll appreciate if you decide to escape the city on a day trip.
- Average Temperature: 18ºC / 64ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 15ºC / 59ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 20ºC /68ºF
March
The short winter becomes ever more obvious when you notice the temperatures climbing into March. For the first time since November, average highs begin to step up firmly into the 20s.
Take advantage of this comfortable month by soaking up some rays outside before the ridiculous humidity slams you in late spring.
- Average Temperature: 20ºC / 68ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 17ºC / 63ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 22ºC / 72ºF
April
Spring is in full swing in Hong Kong come April. As temperatures continue to rise, although still steering clear of their insane summery heights, April is one of the best months to travel in Hong Kong.
The full humidity of summer isn’t quite in session. Outdoor activities are far more comfortable than in the upcoming month of May when the rainy season swoops in to ruin our best-set travel plans. That’s not to say April is totally faultless. There’s still quite a bit of rainfall, especially compared to the dry winter and early spring.
- Average Temperature: 24ºC / 75ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 21ºC / 70ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 26ºC / 79ºF
May
With spring already inching to a close, the rainfall begins its ramp up to the summer rainy season in May. Although nowhere near as wet as the June to August soaking, May isn’t one of the most comfortable months to travel in Hong Kong.
In May, there’s a noticeable increase in both heat and humidity, a small taste of the uncomfortable months ahead. May is also the first month of typhoon season in Hong Kong, although the prospect is far less likely than in the coming months.
- Average Temperature: 26ºC / 79ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 23ºC / 73ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 29ºC / 84ºF
June
Okay, so June in Hong Kong is hot. Actually really hot. Sadly, that’s probably not the worst part about travelling to Hong Kong in June. Humidity is the real buzzkill. Or the massive rainfall. Either way, June is generally a lousy month to travel to Hong Kong.
Exerting any ounce of energy outdoors is almost unbearable, requiring frequent hydration breaks and cool-downs in over-air-conditioned shops & restaurants. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- Average Temperature: 28ºC / 82ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 26ºC / 79ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 30ºC / 86ºF
July
Like June, July isn’t a great month to visit Hong Kong. Both intense heat and humidity mingle to create a crapshoot of discomfort at any given moment.
Slipping out of your hotel to take on the city will no doubt leave you spent. And then there’s always that nasty typhoon problem. Autumn can’t come soon enough!
- Average Temperature: 29ºC / 84ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 26ºC / 79ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 31ºC / 88ºF
August
You’ve probably picked up the Hong Kong summer trend of heat waves and lung-bulging humidity. August isn’t much of a relief. The thunderstorms and rain keep a-comin’.
And the typhoons? Well, they’re still always looking for an invitation to roll ashore.
- Average Temperature: 29ºC / 84ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 26ºC / 79ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 31ºC / 88ºF
September
Like the rest of the summer, early September is a bit of a mixed bag of weather. The heat and humidity are still rockin’ out with fury, and the chance of typhoons hammering the city is still high. The end of the month is a different story.
Late September starts the fall transition. Slowly, the humidex drops, making it far more comfortable for travel than the previous three months. And the sun? It finally comes out to play again. Things are lookin’ up…
- Average Temperature: 27ºC / 81ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 25ºC / 77ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 29ºC / 84ºF
October
With memories of the dreadful Hong Kong summer finally passing by, October swoops in as one of the best months to travel to Hong Kong. The humidity once again becomes manageable, and the streets become ripe for exploration.
As most of the northern hemisphere starts pulling out their warmer gear, Hong Kongers hit the outdoors to enjoy the beauty of the fall weather.
- Average Temperature: 26ºC / 79ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 23ºC / 73ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 28ºC / 82ºF
November
As with October, visiting Hong Kong is a fantastic idea in November. Rainfall is a mere smidgen from the intensely wet summer, and temperatures are still pleasantly warm. November is one of the best times to explore the New Territories and outlying islands.
- Average Temperature: 22ºC / 72ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 19ºC / 66ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 24ºC / 75ºF
December
Hong Kong’s reputation as a year-round destination is only supported by the excellent weather you’ll find in December. Although the temperatures begin to cool off from November, they’re far from cold. December is one of the sunniest and driest months in Hong Kong.
As long as you dress for the milder weather, December offers superb opportunities for wandering in the outdoors, including hiking in the New Territories.
- Average Temperature: 17ºC / 63ºF
- Low Temperature (Average): 14ºC / 57ºF
- High Temperature (Average): 20ºC / 68ºF
The verdict: When is the best time to go to Hong Kong?
The best month to visit Hong Kong is October or November.
Why visit in October or November?
You’ve probably already noticed how adamant we are about not visiting Hong Kong in the summer months. It’s too hot, too humid, too wet. To put it simply: oppressive.
October in Hong Kong is none of those things. Starting in late September, the season transitions from summer to autumn. Once October rolls around, it’s in full swing with all the beauty fall brings along with it.
The temperatures are still warm, even bordering on hot. Average temperatures sit around 26ºC (79ºF), with average lows of 23ºC (73ºF) and toasty highs of 28ºC (82ºC). With only 44mm of rain over an average of just eight rain days, October is almost bone-dry compared to the 50%+ rain days of summer.
If visiting Hong Kong in October isn’t possible, November, especially early in the month, is also quite pleasant.
For springtime travel, April is another good alternative.
