Hong Kong set for more wet weather this week, as tourism chief tells visitors to be ‘mentally prepared’ for changes to Labour Day fireworks
- Tourism chief Kevin Yeung says authorities will not know whether Labour Day fireworks on Wednesday will be ‘affected’ until just hours before 8pm start
- Unstable weather has hit city over past 11 days, prompting the Observatory to issue five amber rainstorm warnings and 13 thunderstorm alerts
Hong Kong is set for more heavy rain and thunderstorms this week, prompting the tourism minister to tell visitors to be “mentally prepared” for last-minute changes to a holiday fireworks display.
Tourism minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Sunday authorities were fully prepared at border crossings to cope with anticipated crowds for the coming “golden week” Labour Day holiday and the hotel sector had reported strong room bookings.
The holiday, which begins on Wednesday, lasts five days in mainland China and is expected to bring in more than 800,000 tourists to the city.
“We may not know whether the evening fireworks show will be affected until the afternoon of May 1, as it is a rain issue. We hope that tourists coming to Hong Kong will be mentally prepared … that some performances may not be able to be held,” he said.
“But we are confident that tourists coming to Hong Kong will have a happy holiday despite the relatively bad weather.”
A trough of low pressure brought more gloomy weather on Sunday, with thundery showers expected to move eastward gradually, according to the Observatory.
The weather forecaster said rain would ease in the evening and there would be sunny periods with one or two showers on Monday.
But frequent showers with thunderstorms will return again from Tuesday to Thursday, as another trough of low pressure is expected to form over the northern part of southern China and edge closer to the coast by midweek.
Hong Kong told to brace for more wet weather in week ahead
The poor conditions may cause problems for Wednesday night’s 10-minute fireworks display starting at 8pm in Victoria Harbour, which is expected to be a highlight of celebrations for the holiday.
The fireworks will form patterns such as smiley faces and the letters “HK” as they soar up to 100 metres (328 feet) into the night sky.
Observatory scientific officer Wong Ka-hing said the weather was expected to be cloudy on the day of the fireworks, with showers and squally thunderstorms. Rainfall might also be heavy at times.
He said any impact on the show would depend on wind speed and direction, as well as the development of the showers.
The Observatory expected the weather over the coast of Guangdong to improve gradually, with hot conditions during the days leading into the weekend.
Sunny periods are expected from Friday, with full sunshine on Monday and Tuesday next week and temperatures ranging from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius (78.8 to 89.6 Fahrenheit).
Unstable weather has hit the city in the past 11 days, prompting the Observatory to issue five amber rainstorm warnings and 13 thunderstorm signals, with flooding reported in some areas.
Neighbouring Guangdong province has been battling record-breaking floods caused by heavy downpours that have left at least four dead and displaced tens of thousands across several cities. At least 10 people have also been reported missing.
More rain is forecast for the province over the next few days, with a high risk of heavy downpours, hail and tornadoes.
A strong tornado also hit Guangzhou, the provincial capital, on Saturday afternoon, killing five people and injuring 33.
Mainland authorities announced on Saturday that Guangzhou’s total rainfall for the month had already reached 455.8mm (17.9 inches), the highest for April since 1951.
