Hong Kong - More than 500,000 revellers are expected to brave chilly weather Wednesday to count down the New Year alongside Hong Kong's harbour.

Police said special traffic arrangements would be in place from the evening in areas expected to be the busiest to accommodate various events being held in the city to welcome 2009.

But the weather bureau advised revellers to wrap up warm and warned of a chilly start to the New Year with temperatures dropping to less than 12 degrees Celcius overnight because of a cold winter monsoon affecting Hong Kong until the weekend. (dpa)