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The weather of June, 2008, was marked by heavy rain and squally thunderstorms and it became the wettest month in 125 years. The monthly total rainfall of 1346.1 millimetres was about three times the normal monthly figure of 388.1 millimetres. This is the highest monthly rainfall for all months of the year since records began in 1884. The previous record was 1241.1 millimetres in May, 1889.
The accumulated rainfall since January 1 was 1911.0 millimetres, about 80% above the normal figure of 1054.7 millimetres for the same period. Due to the rainy conditions, only 75.5 hours of sunshine were recorded, the lowest in June on record. The month was also cooler than usual. The mean temperature was 26.7 degrees, 1.2 degrees below the normal figure of 27.9 degrees.
Under the influence of an active trough of low pressure, the weather in Hong Kong was cloudy with occasional heavy rain and squally thunderstorms for the first seven days of the month. The total rainfall of 307.1 millimetres recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory on June 7 was the fifth highest daily rainfall in June on record. With the weakening of the trough of low pressure, the rain eased off and there were some sunny periods for the next couple of days.
Affected by the southerly airstream, it was mainly cloudy with a few showers from June 10-12. Another active trough of low pressure lingering over the south China coastal areas brought heavy rain and squally thunderstorms to the territory from June 13-18. The trough of low pressure dissipated on June 19 and there were some sunny periods during the day. Under the influence of a ridge of high pressure over the south China coast, it became sunny and hot for the next four days. The temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory rose to a maximum of 32.9 degrees on June 20, the highest of the month.
With Typhoon Fengshen approaching the coast of Guangdong on June 24, the weather became showery and winds started to pick up in the evening. Fengshen passed to the east of Hong Kong and made landfall over eastern Shenzhen early on the morning of June 25. Local winds were generally strong and occasionally up to gale force during the day. Fengshen also brought heavy downpours to the territory on that day. When Fengshen moved further inland and weakened at night, local winds moderated gradually. The remnant of Fengshen and an active southwesterly airstream continued to bring periods of heavy rain to the territory for the rest 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 summarized in Table 1.1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of June are tabulated in Table 1.2.
Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:50
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