Tropical Cyclones in 2018 > Report on Tropical Storm Barijat (1823): 10 – 13 September 2018

3.4 Tropical Storm Barijat (1823): 10 – 13 September 2018

Barijat was the fourth tropical cyclone affecting Hong Kong in 2018.

Barijat formed as a tropical depression over the sea areas about 200 km southeast of Gaoxiong on the morning of 10 September and moved generally westwards across the northern part of the South China Sea. It intensified into a tropical storm on 11 September and reached its peak intensity with an estimated maximum sustained wind of 85 km/h near its centre the next night. Barijat moved across Leizhou Peninsula and weakened on 13 September. It dissipated over inland Guangxi in that evening.

According to press reports, affected by Barijat, 40 000 people were evacuated in Maoming and Zhanjiang .

In Hong Kong, the No. 1 Standby Signal was issued at 10:40 a.m. on 11 September when Barijat was about 460 km east-southeast of Hong Kong. Local winds were light to moderate northerlies on 11 September. As Barijat edged closer towards Hong Kong, the No. 3 Strong Wind Signal was issued at 12:20 p.m. on 12 September when it was about 170 km south-southeast of Hong Kong. Local winds were generally fresh to strong east to northeasterlies in that afternoon. Barijat came closest to the territory at around 3 p.m. on that day as it skirted past about 150 km south of Hong Kong. As Barijat continued to track westwards and depart from Hong Kong, the No. 3 Strong Wind Signal was replaced by the No. 1 Standby Signal at 4:10 a.m. on 13 September, and all tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 7:40 a.m. on that day.

During the passage of Barijat, a maximum sea level (above chart datum) of 2.88 m was recorded at Tsim Bei Tsui and a maximum storm surge (above astronomical tide) of 0.38 m was recorded at Tai Po Kau. The lowest instantaneous mean sea-level pressure of 1006.0 hPa was recorded at the Observatory headquarters at 4:49 p.m. on 12 September when Barijat was about 150 km south of Hong Kong.

Barijat did not cause any significant damage in Hong Kong. Under the influence of the outer subsiding air of Barijat, the weather of Hong Kong was generally fine on 11 September. As Barijat skirted past to the south of Hong Kong, there were a few showers on 12 September. With Barijat moving away from Hong Kong, apart from a few showers at first, there were sunny periods on 13 September.