World Meteorological Day 2002

23 March 2002

"Reducing Vulnerability to Weather and Climate Extremes"

Weather and climate extremes pose serious threats to life, property and the economy. Although we can do little to change the weather and climate, accurate and timely forecasts and warnings help people to make appropriate precautions to minimize loss. The World Meteorological Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations and of which Hong Kong, China is a member, has aptly chosen "Reducing Vulnerability to Weather and Climate Extremes" as the theme of World Meteorological Day (23 March) 2002. At the Hong Kong Observatory, much of our attention in recent years has been focused on upgrading our capability to forecast and disseminate information for the purpose of reducing loss of life and property and minimizing disruption to our economic and social activities.

Historically, most weather-related casualties in Hong Kong were caused by high winds and abnormal sea level rise during the approach of tropical cyclones. Better building design and coastal engineering work have helped in mitigating these disasters through the years. Nowadays, landslips and floodings resulting from severe rainstorms have become the major hazards.

Advances in numerical weather prediction technique worldwide has given to dramatic increase in accuracy of weather forecasts. In the 5-day forecast issued by the Observatory, the accuracy of the day 5 forecast nowadays is comparable to that of the day 2 forecast some 10 years ago.

To enhance our capability of rainstorm forecasting, we operate a high resolution numerical weather prediction model using a high speed computer. A tailor-made nowcasting system has also been developed to assimilate relevant information from radar and raingauges for rainstorm monitoring and prediction. Using a colour-coded rainstorm warning system and a set of special announcements including special announcement on flooding in the northern New Territories, the public are given early alert of imminent rainstorms and floodings.

Apart from the rainstorm warning system, we also operate warnings on a wide range of severe weather, e.g. tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, strong monsoon, fire danger, cold and very hot weather.

The Hong Kong Observatory has also embarked on a pilot study to provide short range climate forecast service for the community. In time, the service will cover the warning of climate extremes.

To make sure that forecasts and warnings can reach the public in a timely and efficient manner, communication channels other than the traditional means of disseminating information through the media are also employed. A Dial-a-Weather service provides current readings as well as latest warnings and forecasts. Over 20 million calls were handled in 2001. A separate interactive Telephone Information Enquiry System through which the public could choose a diversity of information by telephone or fax on their own initiatives also attracted around one million enquiries in 2001.

Public weather services nowadays can no longer serve the community well without the help of the Internet. Since its launch in 1996, visits to the Observatory's home page have seen tremendous growth. The Hong Kong Observatory web site has been voted the most popular Government web site. In 2001, over 100 million pages of information were retrieved, about 2000 times the number of enquiries handled manually a year in the early 90's.

While we feel reasonably pleased with the result of our efforts, I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the important role played by those outside the Observatory. Over the years, voluntary observing ships, rainfall observers, the media, government departments, utility companies, academic and professional institutions, and other non-meteorological personnel have rendered invaluable support to our work. We shall continue to enlist their support in perfecting our services to the community.

WMO Message from Secretary-General of WMO on World Meteorological Day 2002