TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2015

1.1 Evolution of tropical cyclone publications

Apart from a disruption due to World War II during 1940-1946, surface observations of meteorological elements since 1884 have been summarized and published in the Observatory’s annual publication “Meteorological Results”. Upper-air observations began in 1947 and from then onwards the annual publication was divided into two parts, namely “Meteorological Results Part I - Surface Observations” and “Meteorological Results Part II - Upper-air Observations”. These two publications were re-titled “Surface Observations in Hong Kong” and “Summary of Radiosonde-Radiowind Ascents” in 1987 and 1981 respectively. In 1993, both publications were merged into one revised publication entitled “Summary of Meteorological Observations in Hong Kong”, including surface as well as upper-air data.

During the period 1884-1939, reports on some destructive typhoons were printed as Appendices to the “Meteorological Results”. This practice was extended and accounts of all tropical cyclones which caused gales in Hong Kong were included in the publication “Director’s Annual Departmental Reports” from 1947 to 1967 inclusive. The series “Meteorological Results Part III - Tropical Cyclone Summaries” was subsequently introduced to provide information on tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea. The first issue, published in 1971, contained reports on tropical cyclones in 1968 within the area bounded by the Equator, 45°N, 100°E and 160°E. The eastern boundary of the area of coverage was extended from 160°E to 180° from 1985 onwards. In 1987, the series was re-titled as “Tropical Cyclones in YYYY” but its contents remained largely the same. Starting from 1997, the series was published in both Chinese and English. The CD-ROM version of the publication first appeared in 1998 and the printed version was replaced by the Internet version in 2000.

Tracks of tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea were published in “Meteorological Results” up to 1939 and in “Meteorological Results Part I” from 1947 to 1967. In earlier publications, only daily positions were plotted on the tracks and the time of the daily positions varied to some extent, but then remained fixed at 0000 UTC after 1944. Details of the changes are given in the Observatory’s publication “Technical Memoir No. 11, Volume 1”. From 1961 onwards, six-hourly positions are shown on the tracks of all tropical cyclones.

Provisional reports on individual tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong were prepared since 1960 to provide early information to meet the needs of the press, shipping companies and others. These reports were printed and supplied on request. Initially, provisional reports were only available for tropical cyclones for which gale or storm signals or above had been issued in Hong Kong. From 1968 onwards, provisional reports were prepared for all tropical cyclones that necessitated the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals.

1.2 Classification of tropical cyclones

To enhance public awareness of stronger typhoons, the Observatory further categorised 'Typhoon' into 'Typhoon', 'Severe Typhoon' and 'Super Typhoon' starting from the 2009 tropical cyclone season. Tropical cyclones are now classified into the following six categories according to the maximum sustained surface winds near their centres:

1.3 Naming of tropical cyclones

Over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea between 1947 and 1999, tropical cyclone names were assigned by the U.S. Armed Forces’ Joint Typhoon Warning Center according to a pre-determined but unofficial list. With effect from 2000, the Japan Meteorological Agency has been assigned the responsibility to name tropical cyclones attaining tropical storm intensity according to a new list adopted by the Typhoon Committee. It contains a total of 140 names contributed by 14 countries or territories within the Asia Pacific region (Table 1.1). Apart from being used in forecasts and warnings issued to the international aviation and shipping communities, the names are also used officially in information on tropical cyclones issued to the international press. The list is reviewed every year, and usually names of tropical cyclones that have caused serious damage or casualty will be retired upon the requests of countries or territories affected. Countries or territories providing those names will then propose new names as replacement.

Besides, since 1981, Japan Meteorological Agency has been delegated with the responsibility of assigning to each tropical cyclone in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea attaining tropical storm intensity a numerical code of four digits. For example, the first tropical cyclone of tropical storm intensity or above, as classified by Japan Meteorological Agency, within the region in 2015 was assigned the code “1501”. In this report, the associated code immediately follows the name of the tropical cyclone in bracket, e.g. Typhoon Mekkhala (1501).

1.4 Date sources

Mean sea level pressure and surface wind data presented in this report were obtained from a network of meteorological stations and anemometers operated by the Hong Kong Observatory. Details of such stations are listed inTables 1.2 and1.3 .

Maximum storm surges caused by tropical cyclones were measured by tide gauges installed at several locations around Hong Kong. The locations of anemometers and tide gauges mentioned in this report are shown in Figure 1.1.

Rainfall data presented in this report were obtained from a network of meteorological and rainfall stations operated by the Hong Kong Observatory, as well as raingauges operated by the Geotechnical Engineering Office.

Throughout this report, maximum sustained surface winds when used without qualification refer to wind speeds averaged over a period of 10 minutes. Hourly mean winds are winds averaged over a 60-minute interval ending on the hour. Daily rainfall amounts are computed over a 24-hour period ending at midnight Hong Kong Time.

# Prior to 2009, the maximum sustained winds of typhoon was defined to be 118 km/h or more

* New categories adopted since 2009

1.5 Content

In Section 2, an overview of all the tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2015 is presented.

The reports in Section 3 are individual accounts of the life history of tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong in 2015. They include the following information:-

Statistics and information relating to tropical cyclones are presented in various tables in Section 4.

Six-hourly positions together with the corresponding estimated minimum central pressures and maximum sustained surface winds for individual tropical cyclones in 2015 are tabulated in Section 5.

In this report, different time references are used depending on the contexts. The official reference times are given in Co-ordinated Universal Time and labelled UTC. Times of the day expressed as “a.m.”, “p.m.”, “morning”, “evening” etc. in the tropical cyclone narratives are in Hong Kong Time which is eight hours ahead of UTC.

1.6 Hong Kong's Tropical Cyclone Warning System

Table 1.4 shows the meaning of tropical cyclone warning signals in Hong Kong.

Starting from 2007, the reference for the issuance of No.3 and No.8 signals has been expanded from the Victoria Harbour to a network of eight near-sea level reference anemometers covering the whole of Hong Kong. The eight reference anemometers adopted in 2015 are depicted in Figure 1.1. The reference anemometers have good exposure and geographical distribution, taking into account the physical separation created by Hong Kong’s natural terrain. Together, they are used to represent the overall wind condition in Hong Kong.

The Observatory will consider issuing the No. 3 or No. 8 signal, as the case may be, when half or more anemometers in the reference network register or are expected to register sustained strong winds or gale/storm force winds, and that the windy conditions are expected to persist.