Appendix A.
WEATHER-FORECASTS ISSUED FROM THE HONGKONG OBSERVATORY.
269
METEOROLOGICAL SIGNALS.
Meteorological signals are hoisted on the mast beside the time-ball at Kowloon Point for the information of masters of vessels leaving the port. They do not imply that bad weather is expected here.
A Drum indicates a typhoon to the east of the Colony.
A Ball indicates a typhoon to the west of the Colony.
A Cone pointing upwards indicates a typhoon to the north of the Colony.
A Cone pointing downwards indicates a typhoon to the south of the Colony.
Red signals indicate that the centre is believed to be more than 300 miles away from the
Colony.
Black signals indicate that the centre is believed to be less than 300 miles away from the
Colony.
NIGHT SIGNALS.
Two lanterns hoisted vertically indicate bad weather in the Colony and that the wind
is expected to veer.
Two lanterns hoisted horizontally indicate bad weather in the Colony and that the
wind is expected to back.
LOCAL STORM-WARNINGS.
The Colony itself is warned of approaching typhoons by means of the typhoon-gun placed at
the foot of the mast.
One round is fired whenever a strong gale of wind is expected to blow here.
Two rounds are fired when a typhoon is expected here.
Three rounds are fired whenever the wind is expected to shift suddenly during a typhoon.
NOTICE BOARDS.
Observations made at 10 a. and 4 p. are exhibited about 10 a. and 4 p. on notice boards placed at the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company's Offices, at Pedder's Wharf, and at the Harbour Office.
The deductions drawn from the telegraphic information received is exhibited about 11 a. The China Coast Meteorological Register is exhibited about Noon (Sundays and
Government Holidays, excepted.)
Information is exhibited also at other hours, day and night, whenever necessary while
typhoons are raging in the Far East.
SPECIAL ENQUIRIES.
Masters of vessels who regularly send their observations to the Observatory may whenever necessary call at the Telegraph Company's Offices in Queen's Road and send telegrams to the Observatory asking for special information without charge. Such inquiries may also be sent from the Police Station at Kowloon Point, which is connected with the Observatory through a telephone line..
THE LAW OF STORMS.
Further information concerning the weather to be expected while signals are hoisted, is given in a pamphlet "The Law of Storms in the Eastern Seas" published in September, 1886.
Hongkong Observatory, 11th October, 1890.
W. DOBERCK, Director.