XN000022-1974-01-14 — Page 4

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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 ..................