Heavy downpours lashed HK Monday morning

A broad trough of low pressure brought heavy rain to Hong Kong on Monday morning, prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to issue the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal for nearly an hour and a half. The weather is forecast to improve later this week, But another spell of unsettled weather could arrive over the weekend.

Thunderstorms swept accross Hong Kong from east to west, with more than 50 millimetres of rainfall recorded in many districts.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal this morning at around 8 a.m. before downgrading to Amber at 9:30, and finally cancelling it at 2:10 p.m.

The Observatory says a subtropical ridge will gradually strengthen over the Guangdong coast, bringing sunny and hot conditions from the middle to latter part of the week.

However, a low-pressure area is expected to develop east of the Philippines around midweek.

While its track and intensity remain uncertain, current forecasts suggest a high probability of the system entering the central and northern parts of the South China Sea at the end of this week, bringing another round of squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong over the weekend.