HKO - Under the Same Sky 130 Years - Display Area 1
Display Area 1 : Meteorological Observation before the Establishment of the Hong Kong Observatory
Introduction of Display Area
In 1842, the Hong Kong government began using western weather observations and recording techniques, thus turning a new page for meteorological monitoring in the territory. Before the Hong Kong Observatory came into being, those works were conducted by various government departments, including the gaol, police, Harbour Master's Office, hospital and the Water Supplies Department. To meet the various operational needs of these government departments, the observation locations, times and methods for each were different. Their reports could therefore only reflect the weather condition of a specific location at a specific time, and so were not widely accepted or recognised as relevant by people from all walks of life.
In ancient Chinese society, there was a lack of continuous records of meteorological observations. In local chronicles, weather records were usually limited to descriptions of severe weather phenomena and major natural disasters.
This meteorological report from 15 July 1844 to 13 April 1845, featured on the British Colonial Office records, is Hong Kong's oldest meteorological record. Taken at Victoria Gaol, it includes measures of atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind direction and wind strength.
Abstract of Meteorological Observations in 1853 at the Seamen's Hospital.
The Seamen's Hospital, located on a small hill near the Wanchai waterfront, Hong Kong Island (present-day Ruttonjee Hospital), was one of the locations at which meteorological observations were made in the early days. Photograph taken from 1875 to 1880.
Collection of the Hong Kong Museum of History
