The first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week
A broad trough of low pressure is the culprit bringing showers and thunderstorms to the coast of southern China today and tomorrow. As of 10am today, the tropical cyclone Co-May was also centred around 390 km east of Wenzhou, edging closer to the coast of eastern China as it moves across the East China Sea today and tomorrow.
The weather for the rest of today will mainly be cloudy with showers and squally thunderstorms, with occasional showers and thunderstorms carrying over into tomorrow. In fact, according to the HKO forecast, there will be rain every day until next Wednesday, with the finest weather on this Thursday and Friday, July 31 and August 1, expected to bring sunny intervals between showers and thunderstorms.
What is a Black Rainstorm?
A Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued when heavy rain exceeding 70 ml in an hour is falling or is expected to fall over Hong Kong. As of 10.50am today, more than 100 ml of hourly rainfall has been recorded, which means this is a severe rainstorm. The HKO warns that the rain is particularly heavy in the Eastern and Southern districts, where there is an increased risk of landslides.
Does this mean we don't have to go to work or school?
In general, if a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued early enough in the morning, then we don't have to physically go in to work or school. However, since most students would already have arrived at school or at least enroute by the time the signal was issued this morning, they will have to stay where they are for safety reasons.
The same goes for office workers; employers should not require their employees to travel to work during Black Rainstorm conditions. If, however, you are already in office by that point, then you shouldn't attempt to leave and return home. Employees working outdoors in exposed areas should stop work and seek shelter indoors.
Keep an eye on the weather at the HKO website.
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