Maybe it was that group from Germany that your Beijingologist showed around this morning that got him in German mode. Anyway, Donnerwetter is German for "T-storm weather", but it also means "Dammit!". Both hold true for the big pic 97 days before the Birds flock to the Nest (get what I'm going after?) -- the massive storm. Beijing Twitter-ers went totally nuts describing the weather at 9:30, when day turned into night -- and I quote (names left out to protect the innocent)...

• Charcoal gray skies and the distant peel of thunder, and a strong, steady rain to wash away Beijing's dusty coat. I love this.

• Beijing heavens just opened up. It's pelting down. I predict dumplings at Shin Kong Plaza and Olympic gardens cancelled.

• Someone please put the street lights back on; this is insane. It's night again.

• Ok, Beijing is now pitch black. maybe not so mellow a thunderstorm. now looking post apocalyptic.

• Beijing Weather Modification Office: Beijing pretty smoggy today; let's clear it up with a thunderstorm... start the machines!

OK, now with some other bits and bobs around the Wanbao:

• The flame's now in Macao! (Pages 2 and 3)

• No parking for private cars during the Olympics around the venues for the Games. Take the Mozart Line (or the Hanging Omelet Line, or the Blue Cheese Line, or the whatever-the-heck-you-want-to-call-it line)... (Page 4)

• 3.769 million people in the subways in one day. 13.75 million people on the buses in 48 hours. Hey, this isn't the Chinese capital (on wheels) for nothing! (Page 4)

• Chinglish menus (such as "crap" and "the song is strange") are now officially history in Zhangshanying, Yanqing. Good stuff! (Page 5)

Clear and sunny, 14°C - 26°C.