May was drier and sunnier than usual with the total rainfall of 245.2mm mainly recorded in the last 10 days of the month about 26% below normal, the Hong Kong Observatory says.

The accumulated rainfall since January 1 is 475.7mm, about 29% below normal for the same period.

Total bright sunshine duration for May was 169.8 hours, 23% above normal. The mean temperature was 25.5 degrees Celsius, 0.3 degrees above normal.

Under the influence of a ridge of high pressure over southeastern China the local weather was fine and dry for the first three days of May. A cloud band developed over southern China and moved southwards bringing a few light rain patches on May 4. The city was fine May 5 to 9.

Another cloud band moved from west to east across southern China and brought a few light rain patches on May 10. Afterwards the weather turned fine again on May 11. It was sunny and hot for the following two days before becoming mainly cloudy with a few rain patches May 14 to 16 due to an easterly airstream.

With a southwesterly airstream on May 17 local weather became sunny and hot with a few showers. A trough of low pressure developed over the south China coastal areas and Hong Kong turned cloudy with a few thundery showers for the next three days.

Due to low pressure near Hainan the weather became more unsettled with occasional heavy downpours and squally thunderstorms May 23 to 25. The rain eased off gradually with some bright periods on May 26.

A fresh to strong easterly airstream associated with a ridge of high pressure brought cloudy and rainy weather for the following three days. Due to a dry continental airstream it was dry and mainly fine for the month's last two days.