Flood Warnings as Worst Storm in 6 Years Approaches
Municipal authorities are warning residents to be wary of flooding as a severe convection thunderstorm is expected to strike Beijing on Thursday.
A severe thunderstorm forecast for Thursday will last all day long. Rainfall accumulation is forecast to hit up to 80 millimeters in the city with as much as 50 millimeters expected to fall in one hour alone during peak precipitation. Besides lightning, the storm will bring sporadic strong winds and hail.
Described as being long in duration and wide in area, the "worst storm in six years" is expected to break local weather records.
The rain warning for the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei areas will begin this evening with scattered showers and finally subside by Saturday when heavy rains will taper off, continuing in scattered light showers right up until Sunday.
The local weather department is warning residents to be on alert for flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and small river floods. Along the same lines, people are specifically warned to stay away from the city's mountainous areas, which have already experienced flood conditions this past week.
Severe weather has struck Beijing before with fatal results. Seventy-seven people died in flash floods when heavy rains hit the city on July 21, 2012.
We urge everyone to stay safe, and follow these handy tips:
Avoid large puddles or other flooded areas. This seems like common sense, but too many people have attempted to cross areas of water on foot, bicycle, or car, only to discover the water was deeper than expected.
Do not hesitate to leave a vehicle if in doubt.
If water levels prevent the opening of a vehicle door, open the window and try to escape through it. If water levels are above the windows, the glass may need to be broken using the headrest to allow the car to flood – equalizing the water pressure inside and outside will likely assist escape.
Thursday's thunderstorm is caused by a low pressure area colliding with a humid jet stream, causing rising air to release moisture and form storm clouds. Due to its updrafts and downdrafts, convection thunderstorms pose a danger to air traffic, signifying that delays will be likely at Beijing Capital International Airport.
On the bright side of things, the storm will bring cooler temperatures to heat-stricken Beijing where nighttime lows will reach 19 degrees Celsius.
Images: BBC, BJNews.com.cn
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