With the 2024 Spring Festival travel season starting on January 26th, residents across the island are wondering when the ongoing cold wave, which has seen the island sink into an unusual winter chill, will come to an end.
This deviation from the norm has brought chills to Haikou residents, as they grapple with a rare occurrence of temperatures in Haikou hitting winter lows.
The combination of humidity and low temperatures makes it feel even colder. In general, our perception of temperature is affected by humidity levels. At higher humidity levels, air can feel warmer, and at lower humidity levels, air can feel cooler.
However, when the temperature is low (below 15°C), the effect of humidity on perceived temperature can be different. The chart below illustrates the changes in perceived temperature corresponding to variations in relative humidity at a temperature of 15°C.
| Relative Humidity | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Perceived Temperature (°C) | 14.6 | 13.9 | 13.3 | 12.6 | 11.9 | 11.2 | 10.5 |
Temperature analysis from the China Meteorological Administration reveals that the cooling trend has impacted a wide area. Regions like Huidong and Chaoyang in Guangdong Province have reported historical January temperature records, creating a ripple effect of cooler conditions across the southern part of the country.
Temperature records in Guangdong province:
- In Lu Feng Caoyu Island, the lowest temperature was 4.2°C.
- In Haojiang Guang’ao, the temperature reached a low of 4.5°C.
- In Shanwei Jiangmudao, the recorded temperature was 5.1°C.
- In Huilai County Shenquan Port Dong’ao, the temperature dropped to 4.1°C.
- In Tuonie Archipelago, the lowest temperature recorded was 4.5°C.
- In Chaoyang, the temperature was as low as 1.7°C.
- In Dayawan Mabianzhou Island, the temperature reached 4.7°C.
These figures represent the coldest temperatures recorded in these areas for the month, and in some cases, they break historical January temperature lows.
While northern regions are anticipated to see a relatively swift warm-up, the southern locales, including Hainan, may grapple with the lingering cold spell a little longer.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, by the end of the month the island is expected to see a rise in temperatures, signifying the end of the coldest phase of the winter.
By the start of February, a return to more typical winter conditions will be on the way. However, after the 27th, the southern regions, including Hainan, may experience increased precipitation.
Related article: Navigating Hainan Island’s Rainfall Risks: Understanding Mudslides and Flash Floods
