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Rain kept at bay for Olympic opening night

By Wang Qian & Zhu Zhe (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-10 08:10

Meteorologists worked hard to prove themselves wrong for a change on Friday, firing more than 1,100 rockets into the skies over Beijing to ensure rain didn't stop play at the Olympic opening ceremony.

The city's meteorological bureau, which had forecast rain for the Olympics' opening night, conducted the nation's largest ever rain dispersal operation to ward off what Zhang Yimou, director of Friday's extravaganza, had described as the biggest threat to the event.

"We fired a total of 1,104 rain dispersal rockets from 21 sites in the city between 4 pm and 11:39 pm on Friday, which prevented a rain belt from moving toward the stadium," bureau chief Guo Hu said.

Guo warned that even a small bubble in a rain cloud would have triggered rainfall and possibly led to lightning.

While clouds failed to cast a shadow over the festivities which delighted billions across the globe, Baoding in Hebei province, to the southwest of Beijing, received 100 mm of rain on Friday night, and 25 mm fell on Beijing's Fangshan district, the weather service said.

Cooler Weather Ahead

Cooler weather is expected in the capital over the next few days, while showers are forecast by the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Beijing Olympic Meteorological Service Center (BOMSC) reminded sports fans they should take an umbrella if they are planning to attend any events during the Games.

The average temperature from Aug 8 to 24 over the past three decades has been about 25 C, peaking at 30 C. The possibility of rain during the period was about 30 percent, according to meteorological data.

The temperature for tomorrow is forecast at 28 C, while highest next week is forecast at 32 C.

Guo Wenli, director of Beijing climate center, said the weather will further cool down after the closing ceremony on Aug 24.

Friday night's heat and humidity made about 570 spectators and performers at the National Stadium sick, Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.

But only 20 people needed to be taken to hospital, Peng Mingqiang, head of the 400-member medical team at the stadium, was quoted as saying.

The others suffered slight sickness and could go home after short treatment, Peng said.

Xinhua contributed to the story