TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2005

On 16 September, Vicente formed as a tropical depression over the South China Sea about 80 km northwest of Nansha Dao. Moving generally towards the north, it deepened into a tropical storm that evening. Vicente turned west-northwestwards in the afternoon on the following day. It made landfall over Vietnam on 18 September and degenerated into an area of low pressure over the northern part of Laos the next day. In Vietnam, about 20 people were killed or reported missing in the fury of Vicente.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 2.40 p.m. on 17 September when Vicente was about 760 km to the south. As Hong Kong came under the influence of its outer rainbands, local weather became unstable with squally showers and thunderstorms. During the passage of Vicente, the lowest hourly sea-level pressure of 1010.4 hPa was recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on 17 September. Vicente was closest to Hong Kong at around 8 p.m. when it was about 670 km to the south-southwest. Vicente then gradually moved away from Hong Kong and all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 7.40 a.m. on 18 September.

Under the combined effect of Vicente and a ridge of high pressure over southeast China, winds were generally strong offshore and on high grounds on 17 and 18 September. Seas were rough and red flags were hoisted at a number of beaches in Hong Kong. Locally, a swimmer was drowned on 17 September and another one on the following day in rough seas at Ham Tin Wan of Sai Kung.

Information on wind, rainfall and tide during the passage of Vicente is given in Tables 3.2.1-3.2.3. Figures 3.2.1-3.2.3 show the track of Vicente, rainfall distribution in Hong Kong and cloud imagery respectively.

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