A Beijing weather official said on Sunday that the city will have moderate or heavy rain around August 19, the second week of the Olympics.

Beijing will have showers on both Sunday and Monday, with 30 to 40 millimeters of precipitation, Wang Jianjie, deputy director of Beijing Meteorological Bureau, said at a press conference on Sunday.

Wang said the city would have drizzle on August 15 or 16. The average temperature in August would be on a par with the average temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius, registered in the past 30 years. However, the highest temperature might hit 32 degrees Celsius.

Some parts of the city had moderate showers this morning, which cooled down the temperature to about 26 degrees Culsius.

Beijing will provide prompt weather services during the Olympics, with the weather forecast for all the Olympic venues in Beijing and co-host cities being updated every hour, Wang said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)