HKO e-Bulletin for the Marine Community

HKO e-Bulletin for the Marine Community

Issue No.30 (Apr 2017)
(This bulletin is published on-line every three months. It aims at providing the latest news and development of weather services for the marine community. This bulletin is available in English only.)

Explosive deepening of extra-tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific
	During the winter and spring seasons, extra-tropical cyclones (or frontal depressions) develop from time to time in the eastern part of the Asian continent and move eastwards to northeastwards across the western North Pacific. Under favourable atmospheric conditions, these cyclones may deepen rapidly to significantly affect marine traffic nearby. » More

Accurate pressure readings contributed by Hong Kong Voluntary Observing Ships
	Accurate atmospheric pressure readings are crucial for mariners to appreciate the general weather conditions at high seas. In the old days, pressure and pressure tendency were among the most important weather observations for the ship captains to predict the weather en route during a voyage. » More

Director of Hong Kong Observatory highlights Observatory’s latest developments
	The Director of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Mr Shun Chi-ming, today (March 23) elaborated on the weather outlook of Hong Kong for this year and the Observatory’s upcoming initiatives at a press briefing on World Meteorological Day (WMD). » More

State Oceanic Administration and Hong Kong Observatory celebrating the 10th anniversary of co-operation in oceanography

A 6-member delegation from the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) visited the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) on 17 February 2017 to attend the 4th bilateral meeting for reviewing progress and planning further collaboration. The opportunity was also taken to celebrate the 10th anniversary of co-operation in oceanography between SOA and HKO since the signing of the collaboration agreement in early 2007.

» More

Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Joined Meeting on Cooperation in Meteorological Operation and Seminar
	Experts from the meteorological authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao met at the Hong Kong Observatory from 27 February to 1 March 2017 for the 31st Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Seminar on Meteorological Science and Technology and the 22nd Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Meeting on Cooperation in Meteorological Operations. » More

Observatory’s weather forecasting and warning services is ISO 9001: 2015 certified
	The Hong Kong Observatory’s weather forecasting and warning services is certified to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems. The Observatory is among the first batch of meteorological centres in this region to receive this certification. » More

HKO and GFS join forces to introduce dropsonde system
	The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) and the Government Flying Service (GFS) held a joint press conference entitled “Storm Chasing with the New Dropsonde System” today (March 3) on the jointly introduced dropsonde system, which collects extra meteorological data on tropical cyclones to enhance the monitoring of typhoons. » More

“Satellite Imagery of Interest”: Cold Front
	A new Satellite Imagery of Interest is now available on the Observatory's website. The imagery shows a cold front over southeastern China on 22 February 2017. » More

The Observatory launches lightning forecast
	The Observatory launches a 'Hong Kong lightning nowcast' service today (24 March 2017), providing one-hour lightning forecast at user’s own or designated location. Members of the public can get access to lightning nowcast via the following mobile web page or the 'Automatic Regional Weather Forecast' web page. » More

The Observatory enhances satellite imagery services

The Observatory enhances its Internet satellite imagery services on 15 March 2016, providing more diversified, detailed and timely regional and global satellite imageries for the general public. Update frequency of satellite imageries covering eastern Asia increases from once every 30 minutes to once every 10 minutes. Visible satellite imageries currently in black and white are also upgraded to true colour.

» More

The Observatory enhances the "Dial-a-Weather" service

The Hong Kong Observatory enhances the "Dial-a-Weather" service today (24 January 2017). Apart from the existing information on weather warnings, forecast, Hong Kong standard time and geophysics, the new "Dial-a-Weather" service provides users with regional information on air temperatures and rainfall in a more timely manner with the update frequency increased from once every hour to once every 10 and 15 minutes respectively.

» More

Overview of Tropical Cyclones in January 2017
	One tropical cyclone occurred over the western North Pacific in January 2017. » More

Overview of Tropical Cyclones in December 2016
	Two tropical cyclones occurred over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in December 2016. » More

The Weather of January 2017

With no significant cold surge affecting the coastal areas of Guangdong, January 2017 became the warmest January in Hong Kong with record-breaking monthly mean temperature of 18.5 degrees and monthly mean minimum temperature of 17.0 degrees, 2.2 degrees and 2.5 degrees above their respective normals. The month was drier than usual in terms of rainfall amount with only 7.8 millimetres in total, less than one-third of the normal of 24.7 millimetres for January.

» More

HKO e-Bulletin on Educational Resources Issue No.50
	HKO e-Bulletin on Educational Resources Issue No.50 » More

Barometer Comparison Check Service Request Form
	Barometer Comparison Check Service Request Form

HKVOS Cooperative Ship Report

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Marine Weather Review

Tropical cyclones over western North Pacific and South China Sea

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World Weather Information Service

Severe Weather Information Centre

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