AnnualReport-1923 — Page 179

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(b) Large number of typhoons; one of which, on August 18, caused considerable damage in Hongkong,

(c) Abnormally high temperature in March, November and December,

Barometric pressure was moderately above normal in January, March and December, moderately below from April to July and considerably below in August and November. The mean pressure for the year at station level was 29.828 ins. as against 29.820 ins. in 1922 and 29.842 in. for the past 40 years. The highest pressure was 30.311 ins. on December 30 as against 30.445 ins. in 1922 and 30.509 ins. for the past 40 years. The lowest pressure was 28.590 ins. on August 18 (the lowest on record) as against 29.174 ins. in 1922.

The temperature of the air was considerably above normal in March, November and December and moderately above in April and May. In the remaining months it was nearly normal. The mean temperature for the year was 72°.5 as against 72°.4 in 1922 and 71°.9 for the past 40 years. The highest temperature was 92°.9 on August 4, as against 93°.1 in 1922 and 97°.0 for the past 40 years. The lowest temperature was 45°.7 on January 4 as against 43°.7 in 1922 and 32°.0 for the past 40 years.

The rainfall was moderately above normal in April, considerably above in July and very considerably above in August and October. It was considerably below normal in January, February, March and May. The total for the year was 106.74 ins. as against 69.43 ins. in 1922, and 84.79 ins. for the past 40 years. The greatest fall in one civil day was 11.50 ins. on October 31 and the greatest in one hour was 2.82 ins. between 1.30 a.m. and 2.30 a.m. on October 31.

The wind velocity was very considerably below normal in September, considerably below in February and moderately below in January, May, October and December. It was very considerably above normal in July and considerably above in August. The mean velocity for the year was 12.2 m.p.h. as against 11.6 m.p.h. in 1922, and 12.6 m.p.h. for the past 40 years. The maximum velocity for one hour, as recorded by the Beckley Anemograph, was 106 miles at 10 a.m. on August 18 as against 55 miles in 1922 and 108 miles for the past 40 years. The maximum squall velocity as recorded by the Dines-Baxendell Anemograph, was at the rate of 130 m.p.h. at 10 h. 13 m. a.m. on August 18 (the highest on record) as against 75 m.p.h. in 1922.

Rainfall at Four Stations.-In the following table the monthly rainfall for the year 1923 at the Observatory is compared with the fall at the Police Station, Tai Po; the Botanical Gardens; and the Matilda Hospital, Mount Kellet :-