Hotter days ahead as Guangdong braces for wetter-than-usual August

Further rainstorms and possible tropical-cyclone impacts are expected this month, although their timing and locations remain subject to change.

A woman pushes a stroller while a motorcyclist rides through heavy rain in Shenzhen on July 28. The city experienced intense rainfall in the past week, with forecasts showing continued showers and thunderstorms in the coming days. Lu Ying

Shenzhen’s recent spell of persistent rain is expected to ease tomorrow and Wednesday before hotter weather returns later this week, while Guangdong is preparing for a wetter-than-usual August marked by further rainstorms and possible tropical-cyclone impacts.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain possible in Shenzhen on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Shenzhen Weather. From Thursday through Sunday, the city is forecast to turn hot under the influence of descending air on the northern side of a typhoon, although isolated thunderstorms may still occur.

A weather map shows forecast temperatures across Guangdong province from tomorrow to Wednesday. Parts of the region are expected to experience temperatures above 30 C as hot and humid conditions return after rainfall. Photo from WeChat account "广东天气"

The change will follow an unusually wet period for the city. Shenzhen recorded localized rainstorms or heavier rainfall on 16 days in July, while heavy rain continued during the first three days of August.

Looking further ahead, Guangdong’s rainfall in August is expected to exceed the average for the same period over the past 30 years, according to provincial meteorological authorities.

Eastern Guangdong and the eastern part of northern Guangdong could receive 20% to 50% more rain than usual. Most other parts of the province are forecast to record rainfall 10% to 20% above average.

Provincial forecasters have identified three remaining periods when significant rain could occur: around Aug. 10 to 14, Aug. 21 to 22 and Aug. 25 to 30. The final period could bring particularly heavy rainfall in some areas.

Two periods of high temperatures are also projected, around Aug. 8 to 9 and Aug. 15 to 18. The dates represent broad forecasting windows and may be adjusted as weather systems develop.

A seven-day weather forecast shows Shenzhen facing continued showers and thunderstorms before temperatures rise later in the week. Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory

One or two tropical cyclones could make landfall in or seriously affect Guangdong this month, most likely from late in the first third of August to midmonth and again toward the end of the month. Their tracks, intensity and areas of impact cannot yet be determined.

Forecasters were also monitoring Typhoon Dolphin, which remained far to the east of the Ryukyu Islands on Monday. The typhoon was expected to move closer to China’s southeastern coast from Thursday, but its longer-term track and possible landfall remained uncertain. No direct impact on Shenzhen had been confirmed.

Weeks of rainfall have left the ground saturated in parts of the city, increasing the risk of landslides, ground collapses and other delayed geological hazards. Residents should continue to avoid unstable slopes and other risk-prone areas and follow the latest warnings issued by the Shenzhen Meteorological Observatory.