June rainfall a new record in 125 Years

Up to midday today (30 June), the total rainfall recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory in June 2008 has reached 1346.1 millimetres, breaking the previous monthly rainfall record of 1241.1 millimetres set in May 1889 (since records began in 1884).

The heavy rain in Hong Kong in June was associated with the active southwesterlies over the south China coastal areas and Typhoon Fengshen.

Other areas in the Pearl River Delta were also affected by the heavy rain in June. Up to 29 June, the total rainfall for June 2008 recorded at Guangzhou and Macao have already reached 872.7 millimetres^* and 1200.8 millimetres^# respectively. These figures also were the highest monthly rainfall records at the two places.

The previous highest monthly rainfall record of Guangzhou was 684.0 millimetres set in June 1959^* and that for Macao was 975.2 millimetres set in May 1972^#.


* Data provided by the Guangdong Meteorological Bureau
# Data provided by the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau