}
3
Monday, January 14, 1974
1973 WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD
Hong Kong experienced its wettest year on record last year when
total rainfall reached 3100.4 mm - more than 40 per cent above average.
The year was also much warmer than usual with the second highest
mean temperature on record.
Twenty-two tropical cyclones were reported over the western North
Pacific and the South China Sea during the months July to November and this
was the first occasion since 1917 when tropical cyclones were completely
Of the nine absent over the region during the first half of the year. typhoons and tropical storms which affected Hong Kong during the year, only Typhoon 'Dot' came sufficiently close to cause gales and damage.
January was alightly warmer and more cloudy than usual with rain-
fall more than 80 per cent above average. Most of the month's rain fell during January 17-23 when a succession of upper air disturbances affected the south China coast. The Strong Monsoon Signal was hoisted on three
occasions as a result of the intensification of the winter monsoon.
northerly air also affected Hong Kong during the month and necessitated the
issuance of the Fire Danger Warnings on seven days.
Dry
February was the mildest on record with only half the average
amount of rainfall. Both the mean dew point and the mean minimua temperature
were the highest on record for February. Relatively weak surges of the winter nonsoon affected Hong Kong during the month and the Strong Monsoon Signal was hoisted only once for nine hours on February 20. During February 21-23, widespread coastal fog and low visibility caused 17 aircraft to
divert from Hong Kong Airport.
The abnormally ..................