Typhoons.-The tracks of 12 typhoons and 30 of the principal depressions which occurred in the Far East, in 1926, are given in two plates in the Monthly Meteorological Bulletin for December, 1926.
On the morning of July 22 a typhoon passed a few miles to the south of Gap Rock on a WNW track. Winds of force 10 were experienced at Gap Rock at 10h and 11h and squalls at the rate of 80 to 85 m.p.h. were recorded at the Observatory between 8h. and 9h. A typhoon also passed near Gap Rock on September 27, travelling at the rate of 24 m.p.h. Winds of force 12 were experienced at Gap Rock at 10h and 11h, and squalls at the rate of 90 to 101 m.p.h. were recorded at the Observatory between 7h and 9h. In the first typhoon the lowest barometer reading at the Observatory, reduced to sea level, was 29.33 ins., at 8h. 45m. In the second typhoon it was 29.29 ins. at 7h. 15m.
IV.-PUBLICATIONS.
Daily Weather Report and Map.-A weather map of the Far East, for 6 a.m. of the 120th Meridian time, is constructed daily and lithographed at the Observatory. On the verso is printed the morning weather report, from about 40 stations in China, Indo-China, Japan, Borneo and the Philippines, and a weather forecast for the following districts :—
1. Formosa Channel.
2. S. E. Coast of China between Hong Kong and Lamocks.
3. Hong Kong to Gap Rock.
4. S. Coast of China between Hong Kong and Hainan.
This publication is exhibited on notice boards at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Piers, the Harbour Office and at the offices of the cable companies. It is also distributed to subscribers to the "Daily Bulletin". One copy is sent daily to the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders, to the Director of the Meteorological Observatory, Macao, to the Diocesan Boys' School, the Central British School, Kowloon, and to H.M.S. Hermes when at Hong Kong. Copies are sent weekly to the Hydrographic Office, Bangkok.
Since July 1, meteorological observations from 26 stations in the Far East have been broadcast by Cape d'Aguilar (V.P.S.) on a 600 metre spark at 0400 and 1200 G.M.T. and repeated on 2800 metres C.W. at 0500 and 1300, respectively. These messages are followed immediately by the weather reports and forecasts which were formerly broadcast at 0500 and 1200 G.M.T. The names of the observing stations included in the morning and evening broadcast, together with the hours at which the observations are taken at each station are given in Government Notifications 308 of 1926, May 28, and 428 of 1926, August 6.