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June, 2006, was wetter and cloudier than usual. The total rainfall for the month of 469.2 millimetres was 93.2 millimetres above the normal figure. The accumulated rainfall since January 1 amounted to 1,202.3 millimetres, 21% more than the normal of 992.5 millimetres for the same period. Dominated by rainy and cloudy weather, the total bright sunshine duration in the month was only 107.8 hours, the 10th lowest for June.
Affected by an active trough of low pressure, the weather was unsettled with heavy showers and squally thunderstorms on the first three days of the month. The heavy downpour on June 2 brought more than 150 millimetres of rainfall to Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Sai Kung and the northern part of Lantau Island. The southwest monsoon set in and showery weather prevailed from June 4 to 8.
Heavy rain and squally thunderstorms returned on June 9 as a trough of low pressure over southern China moved towards the coast. More than 100 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over most parts of Hong Kong and there were more than 50 reports of flooding. On that night, a squall line developed over the Pearl River Estuary and swept across Hong Kong, bringing heavy rain and severe squalls. Peak gusts of 77 and 101 kilometres per hour were recorded at Central and Shek Kwu Chau respectively. About 20 trees were blown over at Ap Lei Chau. The weather remained showery with a few thunderstorms in the next four days.
Local weather improved on June 14 when the trough of low pressure moved away from the south China coast. In the following eight days, the weather was characterised by periods of sunshine and occasional showers.
Under the influence of a ridge of high pressure over southeastern China, it was fine and hot on June 23. Temperature rose to 32.9 degrees, the highest in this month. Apart from a few isolated showers, sunny and hot weather persisted in the ensuing four days.
On June 27, a tropical depression developed over the south China sea and intensified into a tropical storm. Named Jelawat, it moved northwest the next day and skirted the northeastern part of Hainan in the evening. Jelawat weakened into an area of low pressure over the western part of Guangdong on June 29. The outer rain band of Jelawat brought scattered squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong on June 28 and 29. The weather turned mainly fine on the last day 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 summarised in Table 1. Monthly meteorological figures and departures from normal of June are shown in Table 2.
Ends/Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:33
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