XN000022-1972-09-19 — Page 5

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Tuesday, September 19, 1972

HONG KONG'S WEATHER DURING AUGUST

The rainfall for August was about 50 per cent above normal,

bringing the accumulated total since the beginning of the year to 2407.2 mm

240 mm above the average annual rainfall.

The month began with showery weather and there were also some

isolated thunderstorms during the first two days. Conditions improved

on August 3 and remained generally fine until the 8th when showers again

developed due to the approach of an active trough of low pressure from the

northwest.

This trough remained almost stationary along the coast of south

China for about a week and caused very unsettled weather in Hong Kong.

Thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings were continually issued by

the Royal Observatory during the period August 8-13.

Early on August 10, a squatter boat in Kowloon Bay near Kwun

Tong was struck by lightning. A youth in the boat was killed and another

seriously injured. Three aircraft were diverted on that day due to adverse

weather conditions.

On August 9 Typhoon Betty developed over the Pacific near the

Caroline Islands. It moved northwestwards and crossed the east China

coast near Foochow on August 18. Betty then rapidly dissipated but its

remnants continued to move westwards into central China and activated the

southwest monsoon over south China.

Periods of heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms affected Hong

Kong from August 19-21. The rain was heaviest on August 20 when 186.8 mm were

recorded.

/During the ****