Hong Kong sits directly in the path of the Western Pacific typhoon belt and receives roughly 2,400 mm (about 94 inches) of rain a year, with the vast majority falling between May and September during the combined monsoon and typhoon season. The territory’s famously steep, hilly terrain means intense rain can trigger landslides on slopes above dense residential areas, a hazard authorities monitor closely during major storms. Hong Kong’s well-known typhoon signal system, ranging from Signal 1 up to Signal 10, gives the public a clear structured warning as a storm approaches, but the rainfall itself is tracked independently through the territory’s own color-coded rainstorm warnings, since intense rain bands can arrive with or without a typhoon directly overhead. Because both landslide risk and urban flash flooding depend heavily on short-term rainfall intensity, radar imagery is central to how the Hong Kong Observatory issues its warnings, and it operates a dedicated Doppler radar at Tai Mo Shan for the territory.
Learn more: Hurricane Season Radar Guide · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Hong Kong right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Hong Kong in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Hong Kong, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Hong Kong rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Hong Kong?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over China are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Hong Kong or pass by.
Is this Hong Kong rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.