Hong Kong records more than 10,000 lightning strikes during 3-hour amber rainstorm alert

Published: 
Listen to this article
  • Signal came with Typhoon Mawar bringing extreme weather conditions to region despite bypassing city
  • Areas like Tuen Mun district and Peng Chau warned about flooding risks
SCMP |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

Hong Kong’s education minister pledges moderated university fee hikes

Scorching Sunday for Hong Kong as city logs hottest ever March day

Hong Kong physiotherapists share their skills with trail guides in Nepal

The Lens: New travel technology is great, but keep data privacy in mind

A lightning strike captured on camera at Ma On Shan. Photo: Facebook/Lee Lam

Hong Kong recorded more than 10,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes on Thursday morning amid an amber rainstorm warning that lasted for less than three hours.

The amber signal, raised at 5.15am and cancelled at 8am, means heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over the city, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour. Some districts were warned of the risk of serious flooding.

“Rain is particularly heavy in Peng Chau in Islands district and Tuen Mun district, with more than 70 millimetres of rain [having fallen] hourly or expected to fall,” the forecaster said at 6.23am.

What’s behind Hong Kong’s new warning system to reduce risk of heatstroke among outdoor workers?

More than 3,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded in an hour, according to the Observatory.

“Violent gusts reaching 100km/h or above may continue to affect Hong Kong,” it warned, adding the public should seek safe shelter and leave bodies of water immediately.

The Labour Department reminded employers and contractors to adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable measures to protect the safety of staff carrying out electrical work.

Wet-bulb temperature and how it affects the weather in Hong Kong

Meteorologists earlier said Typhoon Mawar, despite bypassing the city, had a far-reaching impact on Hong Kong, bringing record temperatures for May and causing serious air pollution.

The high temperatures would also trigger thunderstorms and heavy showers, they warned.

Mawar is expected to move across seas east of Taiwan on Thursday and Friday, towards the south of Japan before weakening gradually.

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment