Persistent heavy downpours expected to ease for Hong Kong’s Tuen Ng Festival

Hong Kong has been hit by more heavy downpours, with flooding risks persisting, but the Observatory expects conditions to improve during the Tuen Ng Festival.The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled an amber rainstorm warning at 9.25am on Thursday after it was issued following more than 30mm (1.2 inches) of rain within an hour. In Sai Kung East, hourly rainfall was expected to exceed 70mm.The forecaster said sunny intervals were likely to return on Friday afternoon despite strong winds and a few showers, before conditions turn very hot over the weekend and into early next week.“The weather will improve [during the] Tuen Ng Festival [on Friday]. It will become very hot gradually during the weekend to early next week,” the Observatory said.Friday marks the Tuen Ng Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, giving residents a three-day weekend through to Sunday.The Observatory expects sunny intervals to return on Friday, before conditions turn very hot over the weekend. Photo: Karma LoThe forecaster said coastal areas of Guangdong were being hit by intense thundery showers on Thursday.“Though the rainstorm warning has been cancelled, people should stay alert to the danger that may be brought about by river flooding,” the observatory said.“Besides, another band of thundery showers over the coast of western Guangdong is edging closer to the territory gradually. Members of the public should continue to pay attention to the latest weather information.”The Observatory added that a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific would extend westwards, gradually easing the showers across the region.Further Reading