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Hong Kong tropical cyclone warning signals | |||||||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 熱帶氣旋警告信號 | ||||||||||||||
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Typhoon signals | |||||||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 風球 | ||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | Wind balls | ||||||||||||||
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Hong Kong tropical cyclone warning signals are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory to warn of a potential threat or effects of a tropical cyclone in the greater Hong Kong area. The signals are represented with a set of numbers and symbols. Previously,lights were also used at night.
The warning system currently in use in Hong Kong is based on a signal level from the lowest level,Hurricane Signal No. 1,to the highest level,Hurricane Signal No. 10. The signaled numbers may change in accordance with the conditions. Once any signal that is higher than No. 3 is issued,government agencies,schools,financial markets,and most of the private sector close their operations.
During major storms like Typhoon Hato in 2017 and Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018,public transit was suspended and schools and businesses were closed.
In May 1884,the Hong Kong Observatory began warning of surrounding tropical cyclones by notifying newspapers and telegraph companies. Later that year,the observatory implemented the first visual warning system in August. It used an arrangement of red drums,cones,and balls to indicate the presence of a tropical cyclone around Hong Kong and its relative position. The signal was hoisted on a mast in front of the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Barracks. Sailors primarily used it to help plot their course. The signal did not indicate any threat of a typhoon directly impacting Hong Kong. [1]
In August 1884,the Hong Kong Observatory began using a "typhoon gun" to warn residents of hazardous wind conditions. One shot was fired to indicate when strong gales were expected. Two were fired when hurricane-force winds were expected and was fired again each time the wind changed direction. The typhoon gun was fired on 21 August 1884,although no gale-force wind was recorded at the observatory. Initially,the same gun was also used to announce mail deliveries from London. This caused confusion for residents,so in 1886,the use of guns for mail deliveries was discontinued. [1] [2]
In 1890,a black color began to be used with the drum,cone,and ball visual signal to indicate the distance of a storm from Hong Kong. Red continued to be used for storms at least 300 km away,while black was used for storms closer than 300 km. [1] Night signals using lanterns were introduced in late 1890. Warnings were provided by the firing of the typhoon gun and the night signals,while other signals provided information on the positions of surrounding tropical cyclones. [1] Starting around 1898,the visual signals (both day and night) began to be raised at the Godown Company in Kowloon and (by day only) at the Harbour Office in Sheung Wan and on H.M.'s Receiving Ship.
In February 1897,the storm signals created by Admiral Robert FitzRoy in 1861 were introduced in Hong Kong with a minor modification. The modified storm warning system consisted of storm signals in the form of a cone or drum and night signals. A cone pointing upward was hoisted to warn of gales from the north or east,while a cone pointing downward warned of gales from the south or west. A drum was added to the cone when a strong gale that might reach hurricane force was expected. The night signal consisted of three differently-colored lanterns hung on a triangular frame,pointing upwards or downwards. No lanterns were hoisted to represent the drum.
In January 1898,at the suggestions of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce,the signals were reverted to the system that had been in use in Hong Kong from 1884 to 1896,as the original system was considered to be better interpreted. [1] After the 1906 Hong Kong typhoon,a committee decided to abolish the typhoon gun in 1907. Instead,a system of explosive bombs began to be used. A black cross was also hoisted at the same time to indicate winds of hurricane force. The night signals were changed to a series of three vertical lights in green and red. Additional signals using a cone were hoisted at nine outlying stations,including Waglan Island,Gap Rock,and Aberdeen,to inform passing ships that storm signals were hoisted in Victoria Harbour. [1]
In 1917,Hong Kong first began using numbered signals. The new system consisted of seven signals (No. 1–7). Signal No. 1 was used as a standby signal,Signals No. 2–5 were respectively used for gales coming from each cardinal direction (north,south,east,and west),Signal No. 6 for gales of increasing force,and Signal No. 7 for hurricane-force winds. The hurricane signal was accompanied by three explosives fired at the Tsim Sha Tsui police barracks and Harbour Office. [1]
The local signal code was revised on 1 March 1931 following the recommendations at the Conference of Directors of Far Eastern Weather Services in 1930. The signal system was extended to ten signals (No. 1–10),although Signal No. 4 was only used in the Philippines but not in Hong Kong,as the non-local signals covered the information it conveyed. In 1935,the signal system was revised as agreed between the Observatory and the Central Weather Bureau of Manila. In the revised system,Signals No. 2–4 were not used in Hong Kong,while Signal No. 9 was not used in Manila. The last typhoon bomb was set off in September 1937 during the passage of an intense typhoon. [3] After the Second World War,the previous tropical cyclone warning system was reinstated.
A conference on Storm Warning Procedures held in Manila in May 1949 decided to bring the black ball into use in Hong Kong as the international warning signal for strong winds on 1 January 1950. This "Local Strong Wind Signal" aimed to warn small aircraft of the onset of strong winds that were not expected to reach gale force. The Local Strong Wind Signal was occasionally hoisted to warn of the winds associated with tropical cyclones between 1950 and 1956. In some cases,it was also followed by gale warnings (i.e.,Signals No. 5–8). Moreover,the Director of the Observatory reported in the Annual Report that owing to the lack of weather information from the mainland,it was very difficult to use the signal effectively for giving warning of strong monsoon winds in winter.
With effect from 15 April 1956,the Strong Monsoon Signal (Black Ball) and the new Tropical Cyclone Strong Wind Signal No. 3 (inverted T) were introduced to delineate the use of signals for monsoon systems and tropical cyclones. The Strong Monsoon Signal was used only as a warning against strong winter and summer monsoon winds and the black ball was displayed whenever monsoon winds were forecast or known to exceed 21 knots (40 kilometres per hour) in Victoria Harbour or coastal waters. Occasionally,when Hong Kong was under the combined effect of a monsoon and a tropical cyclone,the Strong Monsoon Signal might be replaced by tropical cyclone signals and vice versa,depending on the synoptic conditions at the time. This system remains in use today. [3]
Originally,Gale or Storm Signals 5,6,7,and 8 were different only in terms of local wind direction. In 1971–1972,a review of the local storm warning system was conducted by the Observatory. Letters and questionnaires were sent to shipping companies,government departments,and other organisations to find out whether the majority of people in Hong Kong wanted to change the existing storm warning signals to make them simpler in that increasing signal number would indicate increasing winds. Starting from 1 January 1973,signals numbered 5,6,7,and 8 were re-numbered as 8NW,8SW,8NE,and 8SE,respectively,to avoid giving the impression that the interchange of Signals 5,6,7,and 8 carried a meaning of increasing or diminishing wind strength. This system remains in use today. [3]
Since the last major revision in the local signal system in 1973,some adjustments have also been made in the interim years,including the introduction of the Pre-8 advance alert in 1987 and the setting up of a network of eight reference stations for considering the issuance of Signals No. 3 and No. 8 in 2007. [4]
In 1917,a numbered signal system was implemented for warning wind conditions in the territory. Initially,the local day signals were displayed at the mast head of the storm signal mast on Blackhead Hill,the Harbour Office,HMS Tamar,Green Island signal mast,the flagstaff of the premises of Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company in Kowloon,the flagstaff on the premises of the Standard Oil Company in Lai Chi Kok,and the flagstaff near the Field Officer's Quarters at Lei Yue Mun. Night signals were displayed at the tower of the Railway Station,on HMS Tamar and on the Harbour Office flagstaff. Supplementary signals in the form of a cone were also displayed at Gap Rock,Waglan Island,Stanley,Aberdeen,Shau Kei Wan,Sai Kung,Sha Tau Kok,and Tai Po whenever local signals were displayed in the harbour.
Since the China Seas Storm Signal Code started to include a time signal code at the mast head which formerly was reserved for local signals,at the suggestion of the Director of the Observatory,hoisting of local signals was moved to the Observatory wireless mast. The night and day signals signals started to be displayed on the Observatory wireless mast on 3 October 1919 and 1 June 1920 respectively. In 1933,the wireless mast was removed from its original position to make way for the Director's Quarters. The new wireless mast was set up a little to the northeast of the Main (1883) Building.
The local signal stations were initially set up in the harbour and the outlying islands. Signal stations gradually increased in number across the territory in addition to signal stations at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters and outstations at Cheung Chau and Waglan Island. A number of old signal masts in the New Territories and the outlying islands had to be repaired. Most of the signal stations were located at government buildings of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Marine Department.
Hong Kong island | Kowloon | New Territories East | New Territories West | Outlying islands |
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Marine Department Signal Station,Connaught Road Central | Hong Kong Observatory | Rennie's Mill Police Station,Junk Bay | Tsuen Wan,Caltex Depot | Waglan Island |
Blackhead Hill | Sha Tin Police Station | Cheung Chau Police Station | ||
Green Island Signal Station | Sai Kung Police Station | Hei Ling Chau Police Station | ||
Lei Yue Mun Fort | Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company Signal Tower^ | Castle Peak Police Station | Mui Wo Police Station,Lantau Island | |
Tamar | Kowloon Railway Station Clock Tower* | Tai Po District Office | Ping Shan Police Station | Shek Pik Police Post,Lantau Island |
Kowloon Hospital,Argyle Street | Tai O Police Station,Lantau Island | |||
Aberdeen Police Station | Kowloon Docks,Big Crane* | Sha Tau Kok,Medical Department Clinic | ||
Stanley Village Police Station | Kwun Tong,Shell Oil Company Installation | Pat Heung Police Station | ||
Stanley Fort (near Measured Mile Marks) | Stonecutters Island,W/T mast* | Lok Ma Chau Police Station | ||
Lai Chi Kok,Stanvac Installation |
In 1963,a visual signal was completed at Lau Fau Shan Police Station in Deep Bay. Night stations were installed at the San Miguel Brewery in Sham Tseng and the Port Signal Station at North Point. In 1964,a storm signal station established at the Marine Licensing Office,Shau Kei Wan,was brought into operation. In 1965,storm signal stations,displaying both day and night signals were established at the Marine Police Operations Bases at Tai Po Kau and Tai Lam Chung,at the Plover Cove Police Station,and at Divisional Police Headquarters,Yuen Long.
Signal stations at the Mobil Oil Depot Lai Chi Kok and at Hei Ling Chau Police Station ceased operation. In 1967,a signal station was established at Peng Chau Police Station. The number of signal stations in Hong Kong peaked at 42 according to the Observatory's 1968–1969 annual report. Aberdeen Police Station was vacated in October 1969. The station at Marine Department Headquarters was moved to Port Communication Centre in April 1970. The station at Cheung Chau Police Station was moved to the meteorological station in 1971.
With the development of alternative communication channels in disseminating weather information and warnings,the signal stations were progressively closed in the late 1970s. The wireless mast for hoisting signals at the Observatory was dismantled in 1978 for the construction of the new Centenary Building to the east of the Main (1883) Building. On 31 March 1980,there were 37 signal stations in Hong Kong. In 1983,only 15 signal stations were retained to provide visual display of signals,mainly to vessels in or near the harbour.
Hong Kong island | Kowloon | New Territories East | New Territories West | Outlying islands |
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Marine Department Port Communication Centre | Waglan Island | |||
Shau Kei Wan Marine Licensing Office | Cheung Chau Aeronautical Meteorological Station | |||
Green Island Signal Station | Yau Ma Tei Cargo Working Area Building | Sai Kung Police Station | Tai Lam Chung Marine Police Operations Base | |
Tai Po Kau Marine Police Operations Base | ||||
Tamar | ||||
Lau Fau Shan Police Station,Deep Bay | Tai O Police Station,Lantau Island | |||
Aberdeen Marine Licensing Office | Sha Tau Kok Police Post | |||
Stanley Village Police Station | ||||
The signal stations at Waglan Island and Marine Department Port Communication Centre ceased to operate with effect from 30 June 1988. The signal station at Green Island ceased to operate with effect from 15 October 1989.
Starting on 1 April 2000,signals would no longer be hoisted at the signal stations at Aberdeen Marine Office,Sha Tau Kok Sewage Treatment Works and Tai Lam Small Boat Unit Headquarters;from 21 April 2001,signals would no longer be hoisted at the signal station at Lau Fau Shan Police Station;and from 1 January 2002,signals would no longer be hoisted at the signal station at Cheung Chau Aeronautical Meteorological Station. The signals are now preserved as historical exhibits,such as those displayed at the Observatory Headquarters and Cheung Chau Meteorological Station.
In accordance with legal codes and customs in Hong Kong,once any signal higher than No. 3 is issued,all government agencies shut down their operations. Schools,financial markets,and most of the private sector closes. Non-essential workers are released from work in a staggered manner so as to avoid overwhelming public transportation. Public transit agencies generally continue to operate initially but may cease operation at short notice. [5] The Hong Kong Observatory has since 1987 issued warnings two hours in advance of the issuance of the No. 8 warning signal. [6]
In its early days,the system relied upon wind speeds measured around Victoria Harbour. As the emphasis shifted to serving the urbanised populace,such observations were seen as lacking relevance. [7] The Hong Kong Observatory was criticised during Typhoon Prapiroon in 2006,when conditions in urban areas were much more severe than those on the harbour,which had justified only a No. 3 signal being issued. In response,in 2007,the Hong Kong Observatory broadened its network to eight near-sea-level reference anemometers around Hong Kong.
According to the new system,the No. 3 and No. 8 signals will be issued when half or more anemometers in the reference network register sustained winds of 41 to 62 km/h (25 to 39 mph) and 63 to 117 km/h (39 to 73 mph) respectively. In 2013,Lau Fau Shan replaced Wetland Park as a reference anemometer station. The current eight reference anemometer stations include Cheung Chau,Hong Kong International Airport,Sai Kung,Kai Tak,Lau Fau Shan,Tsing Yi Shell Oil Depot,Sha Tin,and Ta Kwu Ling. [8] [9]
When Typhoon Hato hit Hong Kong in August 2017,Signal No. 10 was issued,leading to flights being suspended or cancelled. Flights later resumed as soon as it was safe,including throughout the night to make up for lost time. MTR cancelled train services in open sections of the line and maintained a limited service underground on an adjusted schedule. All schools were closed for the day,and the government opened temporary shelters. Trees fell and flooding occurred. The stock market (and other businesses) were suspended for part or a whole day. [10]
When Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong in September 2018 with Signal No. 10 being issued,all of the aforementioned closure happened. The Hong Kong Observatory and the Hong Kong Government advised people to put masking tape on their windows to try and stop their windows from being blown away.
The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale is a classification used for some Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones. Hong Kong has similar official five-level definition warning signals,which use descriptions of winds taken from the Beaufort Scale. The Hong Kong levels,however,do not correspond to the Beaufort Scale,which has 12 levels.
The lowest level of the Hong Kong system No. 1 does not correspond to any wind strength. Instead,it is an alert based on the distance of a storm. The highest level,Hurricane Signal No. 10,is issued infrequently. There have been 17 No. 10 warnings since 1946. From the 1980s to 2000s,two No. 10 signals were issued,for Typhoon Ellen in 1983 and Typhoon York in 1999. Four of such signals have occurred since 2010,for Typhoon Vicente in 2012, [11] Typhoon Hato in 2017, [12] Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, [13] and Typhoon Saola in 2023. [14]
Signal numbers will change in accordance with the conditions. The Hong Kong Observatory website gives live updates of issue and cancel times for signals. [15]
Signal number | Signal name | Symbol | Meaning |
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1 | Standby (戒備) | No. 1 signal is an advisory signal for when there is a tropical cyclone centred within about 800 kilometres of Hong Kong. If strong winds are not expected within 24 hours,the issuance of the signal may be delayed. In very rare cases,the signal may be issued when a tropical cyclone is still beyond 800 km from Hong Kong. This normally occurs when a typhoon with a high moving speed is expected to have a severe impact on Hong Kong even at a distance,such as Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. | |
3 | Strong Wind (強風) | No. 3 signal is a warning that a tropical cyclone is expected to come near enough to Hong Kong to cause strong winds in Hong Kong. Strong winds range from 41 to 62 kilometres per hour,but gusts may exceed 110 kilometres per hour. The signal normally gives about 12 hours warning of strong winds over Hong Kong at sea level. | |
8NW | Gale or Storm (烈風或暴風) | No. 8 signals give warning of a gale or storm from one of the four quadrants. A gale ranges from 63 to 87 kilometres per hour and storm from 88 to 117 kilometres per hour. Gusts may exceed 180 kilometres per hour. The timing of the issuance of the first of these signals is aimed to give about 12 hours warning of gales generally over Hong Kong near sea level,but the warning may be shorter for exposed areas and on high ground. Unexpected intensification of the tropical cyclone on accelerated movement closer to Hong Kong may reduce the warning period. When one of these signals is issued,ferries generally stop running and all schools and law courts are closed. | |
8SW | |||
8NE | |||
8SE | |||
9 | Increasing Gale or Storm (烈風或暴風風力增強) | No. 9 signal indicates that the centre of a typhoon will soon pass close to Hong Kong,with the consequent shifting of wind direction. Alternatively,the signal generally implies that the wind speed has already reached gale to storm force (63 to 117 kilometres per hour) and has a chance of increasing to hurricane force in a short period of time. Hence,the signal is not issued for severe tropical storms,but may be maintained after a typhoon weakens into a severe tropical storm. | |
10 | Hurricane (颶風) | No. 10 signal gives warning of a hurricane-force wind. Hurricane-force winds range upwards from 118 kilometres per hour but gusts may exceed 220 kilometres per hour. This signal implies that the centre of a typhoon will hit Hong Kong directly or pass close enough to bring hurricane-force winds anywhere near sea level in Hong Kong within a short time of the issuance of the signal. |
The Hong Kong Observatory has given public guidance when signals are given. [16] This include:
- When signal 1 is issued,to take into account in planning activities of a tropical cyclone and to be aware that strong winds may occur over offshore waters.
- When signal 3 is issued,secure all loose objects,particularly on balconies and roof tops.
- When signal 8 is issued,complete all precautions (such as secure all loose objects) before gales commence.
- When signal 9 or 10 is issued,stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors to avoid flying debris.
In Macau,the territory's Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau maintains a very similar system. [17] The bureau has maintained the practice of hoisting the warning signals (as well as its nighttime light signals),even as Hong Kong abandoned the practice in 2002. The signals are hoisted at Guia Fortress and the Fortaleza do Monte. In 2017,Typhoon Hato also reached Signal number 10,but Macau raised the signal late,hours after Hong Kong. [18]
Tropical cyclone warnings and watches are alerts issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate preparation for the cyclone, including evacuation of vulnerable areas where necessary. It is important that interests throughout the area of an alert make preparations to protect life and property, and do not disregard it on the strength of the detailed forecast track.
The 1999 Pacific typhoon season was the last Pacific typhoon season to use English names as storm names. It also featured the lowest number of typhoons on record, with only five reaching this intensity. This was mainly due to a strong La Niña which persisted from last year. The season was also below-average in named storms, with only 20 of such spawning. This season also featured multiple landfalls in Hong Kong. It had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1999, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The first named storm, Hilda, developed on January 6, while the last named storm, Gloria, dissipated on November 16.
The 1993 Pacific typhoon season was the most active season for the Philippines, seeing a total of 32 storms forming or entering their area of responsibility. Overall, it was an average season, spawning 28 tropical storms, 15 typhoons and three super typhoons. The season had no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1993, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
The 1937 Great Hong Kong Typhoon was one of the deadliest typhoons in Hong Kong history, with a death toll estimated between 11,000 and 13,000. Part of the 1937 Pacific typhoon season, the tropical cyclone originated on 24 August to the south of Guam, which proceeded generally to the west-northwest. On 1 September the storm entered the South China Sea, and early the next day, the typhoon passed just south of Hong Kong before making landfall in southern China. It weakened after moving ashore, dissipating on 3 September.
Typhoon Fengshen, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Frank, was the sixth named storm and the fourth typhoon recognized by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center recognized Fengshen as the seventh tropical depression, the sixth tropical storm, and fifth typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season.
Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Julian, was a weak but deadly tropical storm which impacted the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong in August 2008. The ninth named storm of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season, Kammuri developed as a tropical depression on August 4 north of Luzon. The next day, the depression intensified into a tropical storm, resulting in the Japan Meteorological Agency naming it Kammuri. The following day, Kammuri reached its peak intensity with sustained winds of 50 kn (93 km/h) before making landfall in Guangdong province, China. This would make Kammuri weaken into a tropical storm that evening, resulting in the JTWC issuing their last advisory on the system. Kammuri would later emerge in the Gulf of Tonkin the next day, making a second landfall over Guangxi province, China. After Kammuri made landfall, the JMA issued its final advisory on Kammuri.
Typhoon Pabuk, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Chedeng, was a minimal typhoon that formed on August 5, 2007. The system made landfall on Taiwan on August 7, and on August 9 Pabuk passed to the south of Hong Kong.
Typhoon Nuri, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Karen, was the 12th named storm and the seventh typhoon that was recognised by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center recognised it as the 13th tropical depression, the 12th tropical storm and the 8th typhoon of the 2008 Pacific typhoon season. The name Nuri was submitted to the World Meteorological Organisation's Typhoon Committee by Malaysia in 2003 after the name Rusa was retired in 2002. The name Nuri is Malay for a blue crowned parroquet, a type of parrot. The name Karen was assigned by PAGASA to a tropical depression for the second time, the other time being in 2004 to Typhoon Rananim.
Typhoon Prapiroon, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Henry, was a minimal typhoon which caused deadly flooding in southern China in August 2006. Prapiroon developed out of a persistent area of convection accompanied by an area of low pressure on July 25 about 120 km (75 mi) west-southwest of Yap. Two days later, both the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and PAGASA classified the system as a tropical depression, with PAGASA giving it the local name 'Henry'. By July 31, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified the system as Tropical Depression 07W. A strong subtropical ridge located to the north of the depression led to a west-northwest movement for most of the storm existence.
Typhoon Wayne, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Miding, is one of the longest-lived tropical cyclones on record in the north-western Pacific Ocean. The system meandered for 21 days in August–September 1986 between the South China Sea and far western tropical North Pacific Ocean, staying within the monsoon trough and causing heavy rains across the Philippines, Taiwan, southeast China, Hainan Island, and Vietnam. Its maximum sustained winds peaked at category two strength on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Various signals were raised for Hong Kong three times due to Wayne's unusual track. A total of 490 perished, and the storm caused US$399 million in damage.
Typhoon Angela, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Rubing, was an intense tropical cyclone that formed in late September 1989. The storm developed from a tropical disturbance in the monsoon trough and moved generally westward throughout its duration. The storm ultimately peaked in intensity as a super typhoon and struck northern Luzon in the Philippines. After weakening and traversing the South China Sea, Angela bypassed Hainan to the south and struck Vietnam before dissipating. The storm caused severe damage and 119 fatalities in the Philippines. Thousands of houses were damaged, and hundreds of thousands of residents were impacted by the typhoon. Monetary damage is placed at $8 million.
Li's field is a satirical conspiracy theory in Hong Kong over the existence of a force field that repels tropical cyclones from the city.
Typhoon Vicente, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Ferdie, was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the Chinese province of Guangdong since Hagupit in 2008, and was regarded as the strongest storm to affect Hong Kong and Macau in more than ten years. The eighth named storm and third typhoon of the 2012 Pacific typhoon season, Vicente began as a tropical depression on July 18, 2012 northeast of the Philippines. Vicente soon steadily moved into the South China Sea, and began to intensify above warm sea waters, and began explosive intensification early on July 23, and started to charge toward the Guangdong region prompting the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) to issue the Hurricane Signal, No. 10, the first since York in 1999. The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau also hoisted Signal No. 9 for the first time since York and after the transfer of sovereignty over Macau. Late on the same day, Vicente made landfall over Taishan in Guangdong, China.
Typhoon Sally, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Maring, was an intense tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage across southeastern Asia, particularly in China, in September 1996. Forming well east of the Philippines on 5 September, Sally quickly intensified as it tracked westward within favorable conditions. The system reached tropical storm intensity several hours after tropical cyclogenesis was completed, and strengthened further into typhoon intensity the following day. On 7 September, Sally reached super typhoon status shortly before attaining its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) and a barometric pressure of 940 mbar. Quickly moving across the South China Sea, Sally substantially weakened but remained a strong typhoon before making its first landfall on the Leizhou Peninsula on 9 September. The tropical cyclone's trek brought it briefly over the Gulf of Tonkin before making a final landfall near the border of China and Vietnam. The typhoon rapidly deteriorated inland and dissipated later that day.
Typhoon Usagi, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Odette, was a tropical cyclone which affected Taiwan, the Philippines, China, and Hong Kong in September 2013. Usagi, which refers to the constellation Lepus in Japanese, was the fourth typhoon and the nineteenth tropical storm in the basin. Developing into a tropical storm east of the Philippines late on September 16, Usagi began explosive intensification on September 19 and ultimately became a violent and large typhoon. Afterwards, the system weakened slowly, crossed the Bashi Channel on September 21, and made landfall over Guangdong, China on September 22.
Typhoon Dot was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfalls on Luzon and near Hong Kong in October 1964. It was the fifth typhoon to impact Hong Kong during the active 1964 Pacific typhoon season, and prompted the issuance of the No. 10 typhoon signal from the Royal Observatory in Hong Kong—the highest warning possible. The storm's precursor disturbance formed west of Pohnpei on October 3 and tracked towards the west, becoming a tropical storm by October 6. Gradually strengthening, Dot moved towards the west-northwest, northwest, and then curved west, leading to a landfall at typhoon intensity on Luzon on October 9. A freighter with 32 crewmembers went missing west of the island after passing through the typhoon and was never recovered.
Typhoon Hato, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Isang, was a strong tropical cyclone that struck South China in August 2017. The thirteenth named storm and the fourth typhoon of the Pacific typhoon season, Hato formed as a tropical depression over the east of Luzon on 19 August. The system further developed and became a tropical storm the next day. On 21 August, Hato emerged over the northern portion of the South China Sea and reached typhoon intensity. Rapid intensification ensued on 23 August, and Hato became a Category 3-equivalent typhoon before making landfall over Jinwan, Zhuhai. The storm further weakened over land and dissipated on 24 August.
Typhoon Mangkhut, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Ompong, was a powerful and catastrophic Category 5 tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage in Guam, the Philippines, and South China in September 2018. It was the strongest typhoon to strike Luzon since Megi in 2010, and the strongest to make landfall anywhere in the Philippines since Meranti in 2016. Mangkhut was also the strongest typhoon to affect Hong Kong since Ellen in 1983.
Severe Tropical Storm Higos, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Helen, was a tropical storm that affected China and Vietnam around the same area as Nuri two months prior. Higos formed from a tropical disturbance north of Luzon, the Philippines, on August 16. The storm tracked northeast and quickly intensified, becoming a tropical storm on August 17. The storm made landfall in Zhuhai, Guangdong at peak intensity on August 19, and quickly weakened soon after. Higos killed 7 people and caused 45 billion đồng in damages in Vietnam. Higos also caused more than US$140 million in damages, but no fatalities in China.
The Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are tropical cyclone alert levels issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to areas within the Philippines that may be affected by tropical cyclone winds and their associated hazards.