Hong Kong basks in sunshine after week of downpours and flooding
But forecasters say nice weather only temporary respite from storms
Hongkongers basked in glorious sunshine this weekend after a week which saw the city battered by heavy rainfall and flooding.
But forecasters warned that more storms were on the way.
Temperatures hit highs of 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday as the city enjoyed a day of sun and clear blue skies. Hong Kong’s often stifling humidity levels also dropped to about 50 per cent, creating perfect weather for heading outdoors.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Observatory said on Sunday: “A dry easterly airstream is bringing generally fine weather to the coast of Guangdong. Locally, the relative humidity over most parts of the territory fell to about 50 per cent around noon. For this afternoon and tonight, the weather forecast is mainly fine.
“It will be hot and dry on Sunday afternoon with moderate to fresh easterly winds.”
Hongkongers celebrated the good conditions online.
On Saturday, Eric Delattre tweeted: “Amazing weather in Hong Kong today. Perfect time for flying my paraglider.”
Another Hongkonger, Patty Yeung, posted a picture of a Hong Kong street lined with trees on Instagram with the caption: “Summer came, and my heart burst open.”
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Schools cancelled classes as the Observatory issued a black rainstorm signal, its strongest warning. Rainfall exceeded 100mm in some areas, including Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po. Videos and photographs shared on social media showed some cars submerged in the streets.
Forecasters said the weekend sunshine would probably only be temporary respite from the storms.
In its nine-day forecast, the Observatory said more rain was expected on Tuesday, with thunderstorms predicted for next weekend.
