TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2006

Cimaron was the seventh tropical cyclone to necessitate the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signal in 2006. It was also the first time requiring the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals in November since 2000.

Cimaron developed as a tropical depression about 1 390 km east of Manila early on 27 October. It moved west at first, turning towards the west-northwest and intensified into a tropical storm on the same day. Cimaron further intensified into a severe tropical storm in the early morning on 28 October and then a typhoon in the afternoon on 28 October. It traversed Luzon on the following night. In the Philippines, 19 people were killed, 15 missing, another 58 injured and thousands evacuated. In addition, more than 5 000 houses were destroyed and agricultural losses exceeded US$ 2 billion.

Typhoon Cimaron entered the South China Sea on 30 October and turned towards the northwest the next day. It slowed down on 1 November and became almost stationary for about 36 hours. Cimaron weakened into a severe tropical storm in the night of 2 November and took on a south-southwesterly course. Continuing to weaken, it dissipated over the central part of the South China Sea to the south-southeast of Xisha on 6 November.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 2.20 p.m. on 31 October when Cimaron was 580 km to the south-southeast. Under the combined influence of Cimaron and the northeast monsoon, strong gusty winds affected offshore waters and there were occasional gales over the high grounds on the following two days. Cimaron was closest to Hong Kong from the afternoon of 1 November to early 2 November when it was almost stationary about 430 km to the south-southeast. The lowest hourly sea-level pressure of 1 010.3 hPa was recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters at 4 p.m. on 1 November. With Cimaron weakening and moving away from Hong Kong, all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 1.30 p.m. on 3 November.

During the passage of Cimaron, only traces of rainfall were recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory. An industrial accident was brought about by gusty winds in Kowloon Bay on 2 November and a worker was injured. Another two persons were injured in the jetfoil bound for Macau and one person was fallen into the sea at Kennedy Town and suffered injuries. There were no reports of significant damage in Hong Kong.

Information on wind and tide during the passage of the Cimaron is given in Tables 3.7.1-3.7.2. Figures 3.7.1-3.7.2 show the track of Cimaron and cloud imagery respectively.

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