At this time last year, whether it’s rainy or not, the skies appear the same: dull grey white with the same humid feeling. This year, the clouds parted, smog somehow eased and to everyone’s pleasant surprise, clear blue skies became a permanent fixture for days without rain since last month. In fact, not one of the 11 air monitoring stations recorded high pollution at any time in July. 

Environmentalists attribute it to winds blowing from the south, where pollution is minimal at most, and to frequent heavy rains during this year’s summer months. 70 percent of the time, the readings recorded a low 0-25 level. As a result, air quality in Hong Kong was at an 11-year high. These readings are a welcome change from the depressing trend of poor air quality highlighted by a series of record-shattering air pollution levels in March that prompted the government to issue warnings to locals to stay indoors. In July last year, a pollution index of 50 or higher was recorded 12 percent of the time.

There’s also a reason to be pleasantly happy about recent roadside pollution readings. In June, very high air pollution index of between 101 and 200 was recorded 7 percent of the time. But last month, there was no such reading ever recorded. 

We must enjoy the improving pollution levels while it lasts. As I see it, the results were due to natural causes instead of Hong Kong’s efforts bearing fruit. What about during winter season when there’s no typhoon blowing the dirty air away? Or when wind blows from the north? We’ll find out.