The Observatory enhances the provision of thunderstorm-related information

3 April 2020

Starting this month (April 2020), the Hong Kong Observatory will enhance the provision of thunderstorm-related information to alert the public of the high-impact weather induced by severe thunderstorms. Information such as “severe squally thunderstorms” and “violent gusts” will be incorporated in the Thunderstorm Warning and weather forecasts with regard to the situation, including Local Weather Forecast, Weather Information for South China Coastal Waters and Marine Forecast.

Be they violent gusts (meaning gust wind with instantaneous wind speed reaching 88 km/h or higher), hails or tornadoes, all such high-impact weather are potentially damaging and dangerous and they are often associated with “severe squally thunderstorms”. When the Observatory puts out messages on “severe squally thunderstorms”, members of the public should either stay indoors or seek shelter in buildings immediately and beware of flying debris and falling objects along the way.

Hong Kong is likely to be affected by “severe squally thunderstorms” every year at varying frequency. Relatively speaking, the number was higher last year (2019) with 8 occurrences but only once in the year before. For instance, during the small hours of 25 August 2019, Hong Kong was badly hit by the violent gusts from severe thunderstorms with trees toppled, overhead power cables damaged and railway traffic paralyzed seriously. Exemplified through this case are the impact and destructive power associated with severe thunderstorms.

The rain season this year has already begun. Taking note of the rapid and changeable nature of severe thunderstorms, members of the public shall stay on tune with the latest weather information from the Observatory. For further information and precautions related to severe squally thunderstorms, please refer to the “Thunderstorm Warning” webpage.