Black rain signal hoisted for the first time this year, several areas recorded light flooding

Yesterday, the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) hoisted the “Black” rain warning signal for the first time this year.

The warning followed heavy, continuous morning rainfall that lasted about five hours. This was also the third time this year that the SMG hoisted the “Red” rainstorm warning, the second-highest level.

As the SMG explains, the “Black” rainstorm signal is hoisted when heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall over extensive areas, exceeding 80 millimeters in an hour, and the rainfall is likely to persist. The “Red” signal is issued in similar conditions but in a quantity of over 50mm.

Although rain continued to fall for a few hours more, at a lower intensity, the SMG cancelled the rainstorm warning around 10:30 a.m. During this period, local weather stations recorded a maximum total rainfall of 115.2 mm at Coloane Village and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park (in the surroundings of Border Gate).

By noon, all the weather stations of Macau, except for the one of the University of Macau at Hengqin Campus, had recorded rainfall quantities of over 80mm.

The SMG noted in their forecast that the weather in Macau is expected to continue to be unstable, with frequent showers, heavy at times with thunderstorms, and strong gusty winds, at least until today (August 6).

The SMG advised the public to pay attention to the latest alerts and warnings issued, make timely adjustments to their travel arrangements, and be aware of the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas under short-term heavy rainfall.

During the heaviest rainfall, several areas of the city have reported light flooding, particularly in Coloane Village and the Northern and Western sides of the Peninsula.

Citizens living and passing through the Barra and Inner Harbour areas have reported that they have not found any relevant cases of water accumulation.

Until 3 p.m., the weather station at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park recorded a total precipitation of 121.6mm, and six other weather stations in different locations also recorded levels above 100mm.

In the neighboring region of Hong Kong, the rainstorm conditions were even more severe. The black rainstorm signal was hoisted for about 10 hours, and many areas recorded precipitation levels over 300mm.

It was the third time this week that the Hong Kong Observatory issued a black rainstorm warning.