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Tropical cyclone track information - GIS version

Icon of Fixed-area map version Fixed-area map version   
 
Icon of Track Probability Forecast Track Probability
Forecast
   
 

Tropical cyclone track information - GIS version

Tropical Cyclone:   

 
 

 

 

 
 

  Legend
Analysed position icon Analysed Position
Forecast position icon Forecast Position
Past track icon Past Track
Forecast track icon Forecast Track
(The color of the symbols above will change with the classification of the tropical cyclone)
Low pressure area or extratropical Low icon Low Pressure Area or Extratropical Low
  Color
Tropical depression icon Tropical Depression
Tropical storm icon Tropical Storm
Tropical depression icon Severe Tropical Storm
Typhoon icon Typhoon
Sever typhoon icon Severe Typhoon
Super typhoon icon Super Typhoon
  Potential Track Area (70% probability)
Track Uncertainty icon First 72 hours
Track Uncertainty icon 72-120 hours



Notes

  1. Tropical cyclones centred within the area bounded by 7-36N and 100-140E (show on map) will be shown on this website. According to the analysed position of the tropical cyclone and the tropical cyclone warning signal in force, the update time of this webpage will be different. Details are listed in the table below:

    Tropical Cyclone
    Warning Signal
    No.1 or above
    in force
    No Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal in force
    Tropical cyclones
    centred within the
    area bounded by 10N
    and 30N, 105E and 125E.*
    Other tropical cyclones
    centred within the
    area bounded by 7N
    and 36N,100E and
    140E.
    Update time
    [Observation time]
    (Hong Kong time)
    Every hour
    [Every hour]
     00:30 [23:00
     03:30 [02:00
     06:30 [05:00
     09:30 [08:00
     12:30 [11:00
     15:30 [14:00
     18:30 [17:00
     21:30 [20:00
    04:00 [02:00]
    10:00 [08:00]
    16:00 [14:00]
    22:00 [20:00]
    *The tropical cyclone track, analysed positions and maximum sustained wind near centre are based on Hong Kong Observatory's tropical cyclone warning for shipping.

  2. Detailed information of the tropical cyclone, including latitude, longitude, classification and the maximum sustained wind near centre will be shown when placing the mouse cursor over the analysed or forecast positions. The user can use the controls on the left of the map to change the area of interest and to zoom into city or even street levels. Please bear in mind the uncertainty of the tropical cyclone locations as described below in using this function.

  3. While the forecast positions and track indicate the most likely future path of the tropical cyclone, they may deviate from the actual path of the storm. By pressing the 'Potential Track Area' button, the probable area within which the tropical cyclone will fall with a probability of 70% will be shown. Literally, it means that among 10 times of track forecast for similar situations, the tropical cyclone will be centred within the indicated area in about 7 times. The area grows as the forecast hour increases. It will be particularly larger beyond 72 hours and is indicated with lighter shadings on the map. The size in terms of radius of the 'Potential Track Area' corresponding to different forecast hours are determined from the error statistics of the forecasts issued in past years (updated in 2022) and are as shown in the following table:

    Tropical Cyclone Track Radius of 'Potential Track Area'
    Analysed position* 15 km
    24-hour forecast position 100 km
    48-hour forecast position 170 km
    72-hour forecast position 255 km
    96-hour forecast position 345 km
    120-hour forecast position 465 km
    *Analysed position refers to the positions of tropical cyclones fixed by the Observatory based on observation data available in real time. Such real-time positions could deviate from those obtained later through "Best Track Analysis" when more comprehensive sets of observations become available. The corresponding radius of 'Potential Track Area' is determined from the statistics in the past years as the mean value.

  4. Short-term erratic departure of the tropical cyclone from the general direction of movement may occur from time to time. These departures are partly due to uncertainties in locating the centre of the tropical cyclone, and partly due to actual short-term variations in the direction and speed of movement of the tropical cyclone itself.

  5. The infra-red satellite image closest to the time of tropical cyclone analysed position can be shown by pressing the 'Satellite Image' button, below which is the 'Time of image' representing the time when satellite data is completely received at the ground reception system. Since it takes time to receive and process the satellite data as well as generate the image, the time of image may somtimes be different from the time of tropical cyclone analysed position.

  6. The Hong Kong Observatory's radar images closest to the time of tropical cyclone analysed position can be shown by pressing the 'Radar Image' button, below which is the 'Time of image' representing the time when radar completes its scan. For detailed information, please refer to the Weather Radar Image website.

  7. The background geographical information in this page comes from OpenStreetMap. The use of OpenStreetMap is to aid users in appreciating the geographical location of the areas affected by tropical cyclones. This does not imply that information on the map is endorsed by the Hong Kong Observatory. The use of OpenStreetMap is subject to its License Terms.

  8. The satellite images were originally captured by the Himawari-9 (H9) satellite of Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Anyone wishing to further disseminate these satellite images should seek permission from JMA. (Address: Japan Meteorological Agency, 3-6-9 Toranomon, Minato City, Tokyo 105-8431, Japan).
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