An El NiãÄ event has been established. Please visit the Hong Kong Observatory website (http://www.hko.gov.hk/lrf/enso/enso.htm) for further details.
El NiãÄ is characterized by above-normal sea surface temperatures over the central to eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean off the Peruvian coast. It usually peaks around Christmas, hence the name of the phenomenon (Spanish for "the little boy" or "the Christ Child").
Statistically, under the influence of El NiãÄ, Hong Kong is likely to experience slightly warmer winters and wetter springs.