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Denise Tsang

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The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled the amber rainstorm warning for a second time on Saturday, after the city was hit by heavy showers and thunderstorms under the combined influence of a southwest monsoon trough and a low-pressure trough.
The earlier downpours prompted the forecaster to issue an amber rainstorm warning – the lowest in the three-tier system – at 5am, before cancelling it at 8.45am. The signal was issued again at 2.15pm then cancelled at 3.40pm.
More than 30mm (1.3 inches) of rainfall was recorded in many areas during the morning.
Tsuen Wan was among the worst hit, recording 70mm of rain – a level comparable to the threshold for a top-tier black rainstorm warning.

The Observatory earlier warned of possible flash floods, urging people to stay away from watercourses and advising drivers to be alert.
According to the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guards’ Union, lightning struck a diving platform at the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool at 6.41am, causing alarm among swimmers and severely damaging a concrete platform.
No one was injured, the union said.
The incident took place 11 minutes after the pool opened, when many swimmers were entering the facility and a few people were already in the water.
“Suddenly there was lightning and loud thunder, shocking everyone at the pool,” the union said on its Facebook page.
Lifeguards found a broken tip of the concrete diving platform along with a burn mark.

“We urge residents to leave swimming pools, beaches and rivers for indoor areas for safety, because of the high risks of staying in the water,” the union said.
“Even if lightning does not strike you directly, its associated current can spread widely across the water surface and pose a major safety hazard.”
The Observatory said the adverse weather conditions would persist until at least Monday, with temperatures ranging between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius (82 and 86 Fahrenheit).
Rainfall is expected to reach 200mm over the next two days, with the forecaster urging residents to pay attention to its advice.
The latest downpour marks the second consecutive weekend of wet weather, following the city’s first black rainstorm warning of the year on June 8.
The Observatory warned last month that an El Nino weather phenomenon would bring hotter weather, more typhoons and heavier rain for the rest of the year.


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Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong cancels amber rainstorm warning for second time

Lightning struck a diving platform at the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool. Photo: Handout

The Observatory expects the stormy conditions to persist until at least Monday. Photo: Karma Lo

The damaged tip of a diving platform at the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool. Photo: Handout

It is the consecutive weekend of wet weather, following the city’s first black rainstorm warning of the year on June 8. Photo: Elson Li

Heavy rainfall in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Elson Li

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Hong Kong recorded its hottest day of the day so far on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse

El Nino could turn 4-7 tropical cyclones this year into super typhoons: Observatory

A resident wades through flooded Tai O on Lantau Island during Super Typhoon Ragasa last year. Photo: Eugene Lee

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Observatory earlier warned of flash flood risk, with wet weather expected to continue into Monday


Observatory earlier warned of flash flood risk, with wet weather expected to continue into Monday.


Weather

Hong Kong Observatory

Hong Kong cancels amber rainstorm warning for second time

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Observatory earlier warned of flash flood risk, with wet weather expected to continue into Monday

Observatory earlier warned of flash flood risk, with wet weather expected to continue into Monday