Hongkongers are likely to begin their Easter long weekend under a drizzle before sunny days appear, with the weather forecaster expecting yet another cloudy week ahead.

The Hong Kong Observatory on Saturday issued a nine-day forecast showing mainly cloudy weather with a few showers in the coming week, which includes the Ching Ming Festival on Wednesday and the Easter long weekend beginning Friday.

Residents might need to wear raincoats and bring umbrellas as they sweep the tombs of their ancestors during the Ching Ming Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday devoted to remembering and honouring the deceased, as the weather forecaster has predicted one or two showers, with sunny intervals for the day.

Grave sweepers at Diamond Hill Cemetery during the Ching Ming Festival in 2021.

According to the forecaster, the weather will deteriorate next Thursday, with thunderstorms and a few showers and temperatures ranging from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius (68 to 75 Fahrenheit)

As for the Easter long weekend, a few rain patches are expected on Good Friday and the temperature could drop to 19 degrees.

Residents could enjoy sunny periods from next Saturday to Easter Monday on April 10, with temperatures expected to range between 20 to 25 degrees.

The forecaster said a fresh easterly airstream would continue to affect the coast of southern China in the next couple of days and will be replaced by a warm and humid southerly airstream next week.

“The weather will be misty in the morning and at night over the region,” it said.

“A cold front is expected to develop and move across Guangdong in the latter part of next week. There will be showers and a few thunderstorms over the region.”

It added that the associated northeast monsoon would bring slightly cooler weather to the coastal areas.