Hong Kong experiences its hottest day of the year so far on Friday, with the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) recording a maximum temperature of 34.6°C at its headquarters. Several districts also report high afternoon readings, including 34.4°C in Yuen Long Park and 34.1°C in Tuen Mun and Wetland Park. The HKO says the 34.6°C peak is the highest temperature for the period of “corn on ear,” a summer solar term, since temperature records began. After the heat, the weather outlook shifts toward unsettled conditions. Hong Kong Free Press reports that Friday brings more than 6,000 lightning instances, including 1,263 cloud-to-ground strikes and 4,859 cloud-to-cloud events. The same report says the hot day is followed by a stretch of rainy weather, with nine days of rain mentioned in its forecast. Across both outlets, the key elements are the record-high temperatures for the seasonal period and the presence of storm-related activity marked by frequent lightning, alongside an impending move toward wetter conditions.