Hong Kong education authorities suspended all morning and whole-day classes on Monday due to squally thunderstorms, but the weather forecaster cancelled all rainstorm warnings less than two hours after the announcement.
The Hong Kong Observatory cancelled the amber signal at 7.20am after issuing it at 6.05am. The signal means that heavy rain exceeding 30mm in an hour has fallen or is expected to fall over Hong Kong. It was raised following a red warning, which was issued at 1.15am.
“As the Red Rainstorm Warning Signal is now in force, classes of all AM schools and whole-day schools are suspended today. Schools should implement contingency plans and arrange staff to look after students who might arrive and ensure that conditions are safe before allowing students to return home,” the Education Bureau said at 5.30am on Monday.
But it added that if the warning is lowered to amber at or before 10.30am, afternoon classes would proceed as usual unless advised otherwise.
“Under the combined effect of the ridge of high pressure over southeastern China and the tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea, it is windy over the coast of southern China and the northern part of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, a band of intense thundery showers is affecting the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary,” the observatory said.
