Hong Kong cancels all rainstorm warnings after issuing first black alert of 2026

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the first black rainstorm warning of the year for an hour on Monday evening, with a trough of low pressure expected to bring further heavy rainfall in the coming 24 hours and flooding reported in some areas.

The forecaster replaced the top-tier rainstorm alert at 9.35pm with the red warning and then lowered that to amber at 10.05pm before cancelling all signals at 10.45pm.

“Although the rainstorm warning has been cancelled, people should stay alert to the danger that may be brought about by river flooding,” the Observatory said.

It first issued an amber warning – the lowest level in the three-tier system – at 7.20pm before upgrading it to red 30 minutes later and then black at 8.35pm.

The black warning indicates rainfall of 70mm (2.8 inches) per hour has fallen or is expected to fall over Hong Kong and is likely to continue.