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ROYAL OBSERVATORY
rainfall of 0.24 of an inch, only about two per cent of the normal
amount.
The June rainfall of 8.06 inches was only half the normal amount, but even that appeared plentiful in contrast with the pre- vious seven months when the total rainfall amounted to only 2.91 inches. The average relative humidity was the lowest ever recorded in June. On 25th June tropical storm Trix developed in the Pacific and moved north-westward into the China Sea. It crossed the China coast near Swatow on 1st July. In Hong Kong the No 3 local storm signal was hoisted on 29th June and there were strong winds in exposed places but only a trace of rain.
In July the weather was almost normal. The rainfall of 12.74 inches was only slightly below normal and was the highest in the year. On 21st July typhoon Agnes passed about 150 miles south of Hong Kong on a westerly track. No 3 local storm signal was hoisted and strong winds occurred in most parts of the Colony.
During August the weather was again warmer, drier and sunnier than normal. No 3 local storm signal was hoisted on 15th August as typhoon Carmen moved westward across the China Sea. Carmen passed about 230 miles south of Hong Kong causing strong winds but no gales in the Colony. September was an exceptionally hot month with less than one-third of the normal rainfall. The maximum temperature of 95.4°F reached on 5th September and also the monthly mean temperature were both the highest recorded in any September in Hong Kong since 1884.
Typhoon Faye developed over the Pacific on 2nd September. At first it moved west-northwest towards Hong Kong but on 4th September, when it was centred near Basco, it changed direction and moved westward across the China Sea. In Hong Kong the No 1 local storm signal was hoisted at 11 a.m. on 5th September when the centre was about 380 miles away. On 6th September, the No 3 signal was hoisted at 5 a.m. and the No 7 signal followed at 12.15 p.m. The centre passed about 120 miles south of Hong Kong at 9 p.m. travelling due west at 11 knots. Tides in the harbour rose about two feet above predicted levels and there were 17 hours of gales at Waglan Island. A maximum gust of 91 knots was recorded at Kai Tak. One ferry boat capsized in Tolo Harbour but there were no casualties and very little damage was reported.