It could be wet but can't dampen spirit

Beijing is praying for the mercy of Mother Nature this Friday, as the latest weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms on the day of the Opening Ceremony.

"We may see a cloudy sky on August 8, and it will probably also meet scattered showers or thunderstorms," said Wang Jianjie, deputy director of the Beijing Meteorological Bureau. "The highest temperature may be between 30 and 32 C."

Wang spoke to reporters yesterday at a press conference, but refused to give details on when and where the rain is expected to fall.