Hong Kong must remain vigilant in months ahead despite typhoon-free August, forecaster warns
Low number of typhoons in first part of the year does not necessarily mean there will be fewer during the rest of season, scientific officer says
Hong Kong has enjoyed a storm-free August but residents must remain vigilant for a handful of typhoons expected in the months ahead, according to the city’s weather forecaster and a local expert.
“While the number of tropical cyclones from January to July is usually significantly reduced in years when El Nino weakens, it doesn’t mean that the number throughout the year is necessarily below normal,” Jennifer Yip Ling said on Friday.
“We also have to take into account that there is a possibility of La Nina developing towards the end of the year.”
El Nino and La Nina refer respectively to the warming and cooling of surface water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean which affect atmospheric circulation worldwide.
During La Nina events, tropical cyclones from August to October are likely to be driven by an anomalous steering flow into the South China Sea and hence more tropical cyclones are likely to affect Hong Kong.
On Thursday, the Observatory wrote in a blog post that Hong Kong’s storm season had entered an “intermission” after being affected by Tropical Storm Maliksi from late May to early June and Severe Tropical Storm Prapiroon in mid-July.
