Observatory to keep weather eye on East Asian Games
24 November 2009
| The Hong Kong Observatory was ready to provide real-time weather information, forecasts and warnings in support of next month's (December) 2009 East Asian Games, Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Wai Hon-gor, said today (24 November). Speaking at a press event to highlight the Observatory's services for the East Asian Games, Mr Wai said, "The Observatory will provide weather information for all outdoor events throughout the Games." "Unlike the Olympic equestrian events last year, the East Asian Games are held in the cool season, so the risk of severe weather such as tropical cyclones or rainstorms is greatly reduced. However, windy conditions caused by intense winter monsoons and the occasional thunderstorms may still be disruptive to outdoor events such as windsurfing which is very weather-sensitive both in terms of event organisation and the race operation itself." "For windsurfing at Tai Tam Bay in particular, venue-specific observations and forecasts will be provided. A weather buoy mounted with observation instruments has been set up at Tai Tam Bay and a specially configured computer model will be used to provide the forecasts," Mr Wai said. "On each race day, the Observatory will conduct a weather briefing through video conferencing with organisers and participants on the latest weather situation and forecast for Tai Tam Bay." Also at today's event, the President of the Windsurfing Association of Hong Kong, Mr Cowen Chiu, said, "The Observatory has been offering comprehensive meteorological support to the Hong Kong windsurfing team in major events such as the Olympics in Athens and Beijing in recent years." "Now that we play host to a major event here in Hong Kong, weather information and services provided by the Observatory will be invaluable, not just for the planning of race strategies by all participating team officials and members, but also for effective organisation of the event and the benefits of spectators." The Observatory will also closely monitor the general weather situation for all outdoor venues through a network of automatic weather stations located all over Hong Kong. Dedicated telephone lines have been established for the 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited and government departments to maintain close contact with the Observatory. From Friday (27 November) to 14 December, relevant weather information and forecasts for the East Asian Games can be obtained from the website "Weather Information for the 2009 East Asian Games" (http://eastasiangames.weather.gov.hk). |
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