An unusual meteorological occurrence is happening and is proving weather forecasts wrong: A polar vortex stretching from Siberia is pushing south and is pummelling Hong Kong with a bitter cold and biting winds the territory is unfamiliar with this time of the year.

As of 2.20pm (Hong Kong time) today (Jan. 23), the temperature at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, where the Big Buddha is located, stood at 1.1 degrees Celsius.

It is 3.2 degrees up on The Peak in Hong Kong Island.

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, ice has reportedly been sighted at Hong Kong’s highest peak, Tai Mo Shan, although there are no reports of snow.

The South China Morning Post is reporting that a warning of ground frost is in force, alongside a cold weather warning and an alert for strong monsoon winds.

Just a few days earlier, the Observatory forecast was that temperatures will not fall to single digits in the city and laid to waste online speculation that Hong Kong could experience snow.

However, temperatures have been sliding down steadily into the single digits around noon on Saturday.

Those living in Kowloon and the New Territories must brace for even colder conditions than people on Hong Kong Island, the Observatory said.

This single digit weather has come as a surprise as the initial forecast was for temperatures to not fall below 10 degrees Celsius.

Related article:

Hong Kong to experience snow 3rd week of Jan 2016 as temperatures plunge? Unlikely, forecast predicts.

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