Hong Kong cancels amber rainstorm alert, rough weather expected to clear by midweek
- The amber warning was at one point raised to red as strong winds and rain whipped the city
- Free food fair over weekend under ‘Happy Hong Kong’ campaign closed temporarily on Sunday between 1pm and 4pm
The Hong Kong Observatory on Sunday cancelled its amber rainstorm alert at 3pm, more than three hours after first issuing the warning amid inclement weather expected to last until the middle of the week.
As strong winds and rain lashed the city, the amber warning was at one point raised to red before being lowered, with the forecaster urging residents to seek shelter.
The Observatory earlier said wind speeds reaching 100km/h (62mph) were recorded in Lau Fau Shan in the New Territories.
Amid the bad weather, the second gourmet marketplace under the city’s “Happy Hong Kong” campaign in Sha Tin temporarily closed at 1pm, before reopening at 4pm. The food fair was the final of a two-day event with free admission.
What’s wrong with Hong Kong’s weather? The effects of climate change
The red rainstorm signal means heavy rain exceeding 50 millimetres in an hour will persist, while the amber alert signifies rainfall of more than 30mm/h.
The conditions are a result of a trough of low pressure in southern China, which is expected to drift away from the city on Monday, according to the Observatory. However, the weather is expected to remain unsettled but showers will ease.
Cooler temperatures are expected in the next few days under the influence of a strong easterly airstream.
The weather would improve slightly midweek, the Observatory said.
