The rainfall was very considerably above normal in May and considerably above normal in July and August. The total for the year was 107.86 ins. as against 100.78 ins. in 1926 and 86.06 ins. for the past 44 years. The greatest fall in one civil day was 7.25 ins. on May 23 as against 21.02 ins. in 1926; the highest on record. The greatest fall in one hour was 2.10 ins. between 12h. and 13th. on May 1, as against 3.96 ins. in 1926; also the highest on record.
The wind velocity was normal in April and December, but below normal in every other month; considerably in October and November. The mean velocity for the year was 11.7 m.p.h. as against 12.2 m.p.h. in 1926 and 12.5 m.p.h. for the past 44 years.
The maximum velocity for one hour, as recorded by the Beckley anemograph, was 83 m.p.h. at 14h. and 16h. on August 20, as against 75 miles in 1926 and 108 miles for the past 44 years. The maximum squall velocity, as recorded by the Dines-Baxendell anemograph, was at the rate of 116 m.p.h. at 15h. 23m. on August 20 as against 101 m.p.h. in 1926 and 130 m.p.h. for the past 18 years.
The relative humidity was slightly above normal in January and February, and from May to September. In December it was considerably above normal. The mean relative humidity for the year was 78% as against 79% in 1926 and 77% for the past 44 years. It frequently exceeded 95% and the lowest for the year was 24% on December 9 as against 17% in 1926 and 4% for the past 44 years.
Rainfall at four Stations.-In the following table the monthly rainfall for the year 1927 at the Observatory is compared with the fall at the Police Station, Tai Po; the Botanical Gardens; and the Matilda Hospital, Mount Kellet:
Month Observatory (Hong Kong) Police Station (Kowloon) Botanical Gardens (Hong Kong) Matilda Hospital (Mount Kellet) January 0.310 0.13 0.44 0.41 February 4.350 4.64 4.66 3.33 March 4.535 6.48 4.90 4.95 April 7.125 7.81 8.08 6.70 May 25.445 15.82 26.88 19.23 June 11.680 9.64 13.29 9.32 July 18.735 29.64 21.85 16.71 August 20.905 8.66 23.37 13.71 September 6.165 5.44 6.59 4.41 October 5.420 4.53 6.46 5.52 November 1.825 2.20 1.32 0.50 December 1.370 0.20 2.27 1.90 Year 107.865 95.19 120.11 86.09