Historic Rainfall Hits Hong Kong

August 2023 will go down in history for Hong Kong as the third wettest month of August ever recorded, with a staggering 939.2 millimeters of rainfall! The local Observatory reported that this downpour was marked by a jaw-dropping daily high of 368.9 millimeters on August 5, a record-breaking amount that has not been seen since records began in 1884.

A Stormy Start: Three Black Rainstorm Warnings!

The month kicked off with extreme weather, prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to issue three Black Rainstorm Warning signals in just four days—an unprecedented occurrence. These signals indicate the highest levels of rainfall and were triggered by an unusually wet start to the month.

Typhoon Activity Peaks: Are We Prepared?

August also brought an unusual flurry of tropical activity. The Observatory issued four tropical cyclone warning signals, matching a record set in 1946. This alarming development came as typhoons Podul and Kajiki, along with two tropical depressions, skirted dangerously close to the city.

Brace for More: Five More Typhoons Predicted!

Forecasters suggest that Hong Kong may encounter up to five more typhoons before the year’s end, an above-normal prediction. The upcoming months are expected to be rainier and hotter than usual due to elevated sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.

Intensity on the Rise: The Science Behind the Storms

While typhoons themselves aren't necessarily increasing in number, their intensity is certainly on the rise. Scientific observations attribute this trend to rising ocean temperatures. As the waters heat up, the air above warms as well, allowing storms to gather more moisture. The resulting low-pressure systems intensify into powerful typhoons, creating a greater likelihood of destructive weather events.

A Scorching September Begins!

As if the rain wasn’t enough, September rolled in with a steamy start, recording temperatures soaring to 38.4°C in Sheung Shui—marking the hottest September day since records began at that station in 2004. Is this a sign of more extreme weather to come?