The traditional flood season (rainy season) is from April to September every year, and with the outbreak of the southwest monsoon around mid-to-late May, the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall in Macao generally increases significantly. However, due to the unusually strong warm and humid airflow this year, Macao has seen a number of torrential rains since mid-to-late April, and the number of rainstorm warnings this year has increased significantly compared with the same period in the past three years.
Rainstorm warning statistics for the same period from 2021 to 2024 (up to 15 May).
The southwest monsoon will break out next week and the weather will start to be erratic this weekend
According to the latest information, the southwest monsoon is more likely to break out early next week. As the southwest monsoon is expected to be accompanied by a large number of warm and humid unstable airflows, which will converge and converge along the coast of Guangdong, showers are expected to increase during the weekend.
Daily cumulative rainfall forecast map for 19-21 May (Source: European Forecast Centre)
Showers and thunderstorms will continue next week, beware of flooding caused by continuous rainfall
Looking ahead to next week, showers and thunderstorms will continue to occur in Macao, and the accumulated rainfall in a single day is expected to be relatively high. On Sunday and Tuesday (19th and 21st), the rain will be more frequent with occasional heavy rain. When the rain persists or there is a short period of heavy rainfall, flooding may occur in low-lying areas. In view of this, the Meteorological Bureau appeals to the public to pay attention to the weather changes, and continue to pay attention to the Bureau's warning tips and weather warnings, so as to take precautions and take precautions.
In addition, if you want to know more about the common causes of flooding in Macao, please refer to "Rainstorm Flooding (2)" (https://www.smg.gov.mo/zh/news-detail/193).
7-day weather outlook of the Bureau of Meteorology (subject to the latest 7-day weather forecast of the Bureau of Meteorology)
Heavy rain is expected, and warnings are short; Plan early and be prepared
Like meteorological departments around the world, through the comprehensive application of the latest scientific technology and forecasting systems, Macao can assess the likelihood of heavy rain in a certain area at a certain time through qualitative forecasting. However, it is quite difficult for Macao, which is quite small, to accurately estimate the location of heavy rain in 24 hours in the form of regular and quantitative measures: the heavy rain may "pass by" the small Macao, or it may suddenly dissipate or intensify over the surrounding areas.
However, in order to enable the public to take early response measures, the Bureau of Meteorology has been actively enhancing its forecasting strategy in recent years, and has strengthened the advance warning information of weather warnings by issuing them in a "qualitative first, then quantitative" manner, with a view to responding to the United Nations' Early Warnings for all (EW4ALL) initiative, so that all sectors of the community can be more vigilant against severe weather or major weather changes that may occur in the short term and take precautions in advance.
In recent years, the Bureau of Meteorology has optimized its early warning and forecasting methods
The degree and extent of flooding
Press kit and photo source: Geophysical and Meteorological Bureau