XN000022-1972-08-24 — Page 11

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Thursday, August 24, 1972

However, it weakened to a severe tropical storm early on July 11

and began to drift slowly away to the east. The No. 3 signal was replaced

by the No. 1 at 10.30 a.m. During the evening, Susan moved northwestwards

towards the Colony and brought thunderstorms and squally showers.

The No. 3 signal was again hoisted at 9.35 p.m. On July 12,

Susan weakened further to a tropical storm and remained almost stationary. At 6.40 a.m., the No. 3 signal was lowered so that normal activities

could be resumed,

Early on July 13, Susan once again started to move in the

general direction towards Hong Kong and the No. 1 signal was raised at

5.20 a.m., followed by the No. 3 at 7.10 a.m. It came to about 90 miles

east of Hong Kong and caused strong winds on July 13 and early July 14.

The No. 3 signal was replaced by the No. 1 at 10.10 a.m. on

July 14 when the storm began to move steadily northeastwards away from

Hong Kong. All signals were lowered at 6.20 a.m. on July 15. Susan

crossed the east coast of China near Foochow that afternoon and degenerated

into an area of low pressure during the evening.

Conditions in Hong Kong rapidly improved and became fine apart from a few isolated showers from July 16 to 23. On July 23, a warm air- stream reached the Colony from the west and temperatures rose to a maximum of 34.7°C at the Royal Observatory. This was the third highest

on record for July.

/During