Hong Kong Observatory issues amber rainstorm signal, warns of hail, violent gusts

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.The Hong Kong Observatory issued an amber rainstorm warning on Friday afternoon, after earlier telling residents to brace for hail and violent gusts as severe thunderstorms approached the city.The forecaster sent out the lowest rainstorm warning of its three-tiered system at 4.35pm on Friday. Less than an hour earlier, it issued several special weather tips and noted that hail could affect the city in the “next couple of hours”.An amber signal means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over the city, exceeding 30mm in an hour, and is likely to continue.“There will be flooding in some low-lying and poorly drained areas. People who are likely to be affected should take necessary precautions to reduce their exposure to the risk posed by the heavy rain and flooding,” the observatory said.It also warned of possible flash floods amid the heavy rain.The Observatory previously warned of potentially violent gusts of wind affecting the city and urged residents to seek shelter.Since records began in 1967, Hong Kong has had a total of 16 hail reports in April, the highest of any month. The city’s last hail report was issued in March 2025.According to the latest weather forecast, the city will be cloudy with showers and severe squally thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and during the night, with light to moderate southerly winds.The showers are expected to ease off on Saturday, while the weather on Sunday is expected to be hot, with sunny periods and isolated showers.The Observatory said it also expected a few showers early next week, before the weather became more unsettled from the middle of next week.Further Reading