Cold in Hong Kong?

Q: I will be in Hong Kong for the first week of February next year. I was surprised when a well-travelled colleague suggested I take along a coat for the cool weather, as I always associate the city with heat and humidity. Does it really get cold enough to warrant taking valuable luggage space with a coat, jerseys and heavy winter clothing? - Anne du Toit

A: Hong Kong can get very cool in February. In fact, it is the coldest time of the year, with an average high of 18 degrees celsius and an average low of 14 degrees. However, it can drop as low as 9 degrees celsius during the day and there have been times when the temperature has dropped below zero at night. Days should be clear, though, although you may experience some light drizzle. If you are worried about luggage weight on the return trip, take some old winter wear that you can ditch on the last day. Wear your coat and your heaviest shoes for checking in at the airport, so that they don't add to your luggage weight.