Report on Tropical Storm Nuri (2002)

Nuri was the first tropical cyclone affecting Hong Kong in 2020.

Nuri formed as a tropical depression over the Philippines about 110 km north-northwest of Manila in the small hours of 12 June and intensified gradually. It moved generally northwestward across the South China Sea during the day. Nuri developed into a tropical storm in the small hours of 13 June and reached its peak intensity with an estimated sustained wind of 75 km/h near its centre in the afternoon. Nuri made landfall over Yangjiang of Guangdong later in the morning of 14 June and weakened into an area of low pressure over inland Guangdong in the afternoon.

The Standby Signal No. 1 was issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at 8:20 p.m. on 12 June when Nuri was about 710 km south-southeast of Hong Kong. Local winds were light to moderate east to northeasterlies that night and the next morning. As Nuri edged closer to the coast of Guangdong, the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was issued at 3:40 p.m. on 13 June when Nuri was about 290 km south-southeast of Hong Kong. Local winds strengthened gradually in the afternoon and became fresh to strong east to southeasterlies with occasionally gales on high ground during the night. Nuri came closest to Hong Kong at around 2 a.m. on 14 June, skirting past about 190 km south-southwest of the territory. With Nuri departing from Hong Kong and weakening gradually, the No. 3 Strong wind Signal was replaced by the Standby Signal No.1 at 10:40 a.m. on 14 June, and all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 1:20 p.m. on that day.

Under the influence of Nuri, a maximum sea level (above chart datum) of 2.22 m and a maximum storm surge of 0.45 m (above astronomical tide) were recorded at Tsim Bei Tsui. At the Observatory Headquarters, the lowest instantaneous mean sea-level pressure of 1002.5 hPa was recorded at 4:48 p.m. on 13 June.

The weather of Hong Kong was very hot with sunny periods on 13 June. There were also a few squally showers and isolated thunderstorms. Under the influence of the outer rainbands associated with Nuri, there were squally showers on the night of 13 June and on 14 June. More than 30 millimetres of rainfall were recorded over many places in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, a person was tragically drowned in the rough seas while surfing in Lower Cheung Sha Beach of Lantau Island during the passage of Nuri. A catamaran was overturned under rough sea conditions. 13 people on board fell into sea and were later rescued. One of them was injured.