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July was wetter than usual with total rainfall of 471.1 millimetres which was 96.7 millimetres above normal. The accumulated rainfall since January 1 was 2,382.1 millimetres, about 67% above the normal figure of 1,429.1 millimetres for the same period. It was also the second highest for the same period since 1884.
Under the influence of a ridge of high pressure, the weather in Hong Kong was mainly fine apart from a few isolated showers for the starting five days of the month.
An area of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea followed by a trough of low pressure over the south China coastal areas brought rainy and thundery weather to the territory from July 6-15. With the trough of low pressure weakening gradually, the rain eased off on July 16 and there were some sunny periods during the day.
The weather was sunny and hot on July 17. Under the influence of a southwesterly airstream over southern China, the weather became mainly cloudy with a few isolated showers from July 18-20. A ridge of high pressure covered the south China coastal areas and brought sunny and hot weather to Hong Kong for the following six days.
With Typhoon Fung-Wong over the western North Pacific moving towards Taiwan, the hot subsiding air ahead of Fung-Wong brought very hot weather to the territory on July 27 and 28. The temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory on July 28 rose to 34.6 degrees, the highest of the month. Severe thunderstorms developed inland Guangdong moved south to affect the territory in the afternoon of July 27 as well as the evening of July 28. Hail was reported at Sha Tau Kok, Fanling and Yuen Long, and squalls up to 131 kilometres per hour were recorded at Lau Fau Shan on July 27 during the passage of the thunderstorms.
The rainbands associated with Fung-Wong brought a few showers to the territory on July 29 and 30. There were some sunny intervals on the last day of the month.
Two tropical cyclones occurred in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in the month.
Details of the issuance and cancellation of various warnings/signals in the month are summarised in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of July are tabulated in Table 1.2.
Ends/Monday, August 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:45
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