TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2012

3.1 Severe Tropical Storm Talim (1205): 17 – 21 June 2012

Talim was the first tropical cyclone that necessitated the issuance of a tropical cyclone warning signal by the Hong Kong Observatory in 2012.

Talim formed as a tropical depression over the northern part of the South China Sea to the east of Hainan Island on 17 June and moved slowly eastwards. It intensified into a tropical storm on the morning of 18 June and further into a severe tropical storm over the northern part of the South China Sea about 360 km south of Hong Kong at night, reaching its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 90 km/h near its centre. Talim turned to move northeastwards at about 17 km/h across the northeastern part of the South China Sea on 19 June. It weakened into a tropical storm and moved across the Taiwan Strait on the following day. On 21 June, it first weakened into a tropical depression and then dissipated over the East China Sea. According to press reports, Talim caused the deaths of at least 3 people and brought flooding and interruptions of electricity supply to many areas in Taiwan during its passage. There were reports of damaged shorelines in Fujian. In Ninbo, Zhejiang, 400 000 hectares of farmland were inundated.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 4:20 p.m. on 17 June when Talim was about 470 km southwest of Hong Kong. Local winds were moderate to fresh easterlies, occasionally strong offshore and on high ground. As Talim showed signs of strengthening into a severe tropical storm and adopting a more northerly track, moving closer to the territory, the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was issued at 10:40 p.m. on 18 June when Talim was about 360 km south of Hong Kong. Local winds turned to northeasterly in the morning of 19 June. Due to sheltering by terrain, the chance of sustained strong winds generally affecting Hong Kong decreased and the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 was replaced by the Standby Signal No. 1 at 10:20 a.m. Talim was closest to Hong Kong at about 5 p.m. that day passing about 260 km to the southeast. At the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters, the lowest instantaneous mean sea-level pressure of 992.2 hPa was recorded shortly afterwards at 5:23 p.m. Local winds subsided further during the afternoon and evening. All signals were cancelled at 8:40 p.m. as Talim started to move away from the territory. Gusts of over 80 km/h were recorded at Tai Mo Shan, Tate’s Cairn and Ngong Ping during the passage of Talim.

The weather in Hong Kong was cloudy with squally showers on 17 June and 18 June. Showers continued to affect the territory at first on 19 June, but eased off later and there were sunny periods during the day.

During the passage of Talim, there were many reports of fallen trees in Hong Kong, including Tai Po, Sha Tin and Quarry Bay. A yacht broke off its anchor in rough seas over the waters of Sai Kung and ran aground over the shore. No one was injured during the incident.

Information on the maximum wind, period of strong force winds, daily rainfall and maximum sea level reached in Hong Kong during the passage of Talim is given in Tables 3.1.1 - 3.1.4 respectively. Figures 3.1.1 - 3.1.4 show respectively the track of Talim, the rainfall distribution for Hong Kong, a satellite imagery and a related radar imagery of Talim.

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