Two waterspouts occurred in Guangdong within 24 hours a couple of days ago. Specifically, a waterspout hit the waters near Shenzhen's Bao'an District around 6:30 am on August 12. Another one was witnessed over the sea near Tangjiawan Town, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai, around 1 am on August 13.
"Waterspout", commonly known as "dragon drawing water," is essentially a tornado that appears over warm water.
(Photo: southcn.com)
The upper end of a waterspout connects with thunderclouds, while its lower end extends directly to the water surface. Air rotates rapidly around the axis of the waterspout while moving. Driven by the extreme reduction in air pressure at the center of the waterspout, water is sucked into the bottom of the vortex and then becomes an upward vortex flow around the axis, thus creating a "waterspout."
According to the National Climate Centre's climate average data, China experiences an average of 38 tornadoes annually, with Guangdong ranking second in the frequency of tornado occurrences, averaging 4.3 tornadoes per year.
As the extended period of "Dog Days" (Sanfu in Chinese, referring to the hottest period of the year) draws to a close, Guangdong Province is set to experience a much-needed "cooling off" period marked by a surge in thunderstorms and severe weather conditions.
A time lapse video of heavy rain rolling through downtown Guangzhou on August 14, 2024
The Guangdong Meteorological Observatory has issued warnings for the upcoming week, forecasting frequent and unpredictable thunderstorms across Guangzhou, characterized by intense localized rainfall, a high risk of severe convection, and accompanying phenomena such as 7-9 scale short-term gales, intense lightning, and locally-confined tornadoes. The maximum hourly rainfall intensity is expected to reach 30-50 millimeters, with isolated areas potentially seeing over 60 millimeters.
Starting from August 14 to 15, the region will see an increase in precipitation due to the influence of a low-pressure vortex and shear line, with heavy to torrential rains forecasted for several cities and counties. This rainfall pattern is anticipated to further shrink the areas experiencing temperatures above 35°C over the next three days.
Specifically, from August 15 to 17, as a developing low-pressure vortex approaches, Guangzhou is braced for heavy rain with localized downpours. The meteorological service advises residents and relevant authorities to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Guangdong weather forecast in detail:
August 14: Northern Guangdong, the Pearl River Delta, and western Guangdong will see a mix of cloudy and overcast skies with moderate to heavy thunderstorms. Some areas are likely to experience heavy to torrential rains, while the rest of the province can expect scattered thundershowers with localized heavy or torrential downpours. The maximum temperatures in most regions are predicted to range between 32°C and 35°C.
August 15: The central and southern parts of Guangdong will experience cloudy to overcast skies with heavy rain, and some areas are likely to receive heavy to torrential rains. The rest of the province will also see cloudy to overcast skies with moderate to heavy rain, with localized downpours.
Residents are advised to monitor weather updates closely, take measures to protect against lightning strikes and strong winds, and avoid outdoor activities during periods of severe weather. Emergency services are on standby to respond to any potential incidents.
Guangzhou weather forecast in detail:
Text |Clarice
Video | Monica
Video editor | Ou Nanying
Editor | Nina, James
