Cold Weather Warning: Enjoy It While It Lasts

Winter has definitely settled in. Thanks to the big windows and stone floors, the flat is quite cold, but like most other places, we don't have heat. Andy finally broke down and bought a space heater. It's hard to believe that when I landed almost three months ago, I thought I was going to melt in the heat and humidity!

What does "cold" actually mean in a place like Hong Kong? For most of this week, temperatures will range from a low of 4 to a high of 20 degrees C (40 to 68 degrees F). This, apparently, is enough for the forecasters at the Hong Kong Observatory to issue the following Cold Weather Warning:

As Hong Kong is being continuously affected by a cold winter monsoon, people are advised to put on warm clothes and to avoid adverse health effects due to the cold weather. You must also ensure adequate indoor ventilation.

If you must go out, please avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds.

If you know of elderly persons or persons with chronic medical conditions staying alone, please call or visit them occasionally to check if they need any assistance.

Make sure heaters are safe before use, and place them away from any combustibles. Do not light fires indoors as a means to keep warm.

Whatever the temperature, please ensure that there is plenty of fresh air in your room when you are using an old-type gas water heater.

Note how it advises everyone to wear warm clothes, and to avoid building fires indoors.

This cold spell won't last long. By Saturday, it should be sunny and 23 C. Yeah, that's 75 degrees F! I'm going to enjoy this relatively cool, dry weather now, before I start singing a very different tune in just a few months.