The office-dense Central and Western districts are currently experiencing an exceptionally severe rainstorm, the Hong Kong Observatory said in an advisory. That signals hourly rain rates of over 140 millimetres are expected, and serious flooding is possible. Several subway exits across the city were shut due to the adverse weather, according to the railway operator.
A severe rainstorm alert was also issued for Chek Lap Kok, the region that’s home to the city’s bustling airport. The weather bureau said the black rain signal will remain in effect until 11 a.m. local time.The Hong Kong Observatory introduced the ‘severe rainstorm’ and ‘exceptionally severe rainstorm’ terms last year after the city’s most notable black rain event in September 2023, which broke a number of records. The bureau added that extreme weather will become more frequent under global warming.
As global temperatures continue to climb, Hong Kong will likely see significant increases in its maximum hourly rainfall, according to climate projections modelled by a team of scientists, including Jimmy Fung, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The recent downpours are flipping the script on Hong Kong after an unusually dry first half of the year, which saw less than half the usual amount, according to observatory data. As of Tuesday, Hong Kong has received above-average precipitation for the year.
Heavy rainfall is typical for this time of the year due to the southwest monsoon and the deluge that comes from tropical cyclones. The wettest month is June, followed by August, according to data from the weather bureau.
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